INTERSEX is an umbrella term for people who are born with traits that don’t fit the typical understanding of male and female bodies. THIS IS NOT GENDER, NOT ORIENTATION. These are specifically anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and other characteristics of the body. A person is born intersex. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO “BECOME” ONE, AND IT IS NOT CONTAGIOUS. It is believed that intersex people are few—but in fact, according to some data, THEY ARE UP TO 1.7% OF ALL LIVING PEOPLE ON EARTH, that is about as many as redheads! At the same time, intersex people constantly face stigmatization, prejudice, and misunderstanding—both from society and from medical staff. In our society it’s not customary to talk about such uncomfortable topics. For example, sex education is taboo, yet it’s important to discuss these issues with a child from the very beginning, because sex education is not only about learning about one’s own body or someone else’s body, but also about safety. That’s why Yulia Sidorova, a pediatric endocrinologist and author of the blog @j.sidorova, wrote this book for those who want to learn more about intersex people, understand them, and maybe even understand themselves.