One of a Kind, Just Like You is a short story that follows the journey of Alex, a ten year old boy, who is at the point in his life where he realizes that his body is starting to change. Alex is a varsity athlete in the sport of swimming, and is determined to get a good finish in an upcoming competition. For the first time in his life, people have pointed out to him that his chest looks bigger than would be expected. Later on, he finds out that he is intersex– particularly, one who had Klinefelter syndrome.

The story is a reminder of empowering children who are undergoing such a time in their lives where they realize changes, and develop an understanding of themselves. Alex has a circle of support in his life who fosters this needed support. His parents, teammates, and Coach Sam display a welcoming presence. At the same time, it calls for the importance of having your community to have your back in times of uncertainty. Coach Sam himself is likewise intersex, and has been an instrumental figure in letting Alex have autonomy over his own experience of gender.

Intersex is a term referring to people whose sex characteristics do not align with what is typically male or female. Physical, hormonal and genetic characteristics may manifest along the range of blended male and female features, or non-wholly male or female features (Oxford LGBTQ+ Society, n.d.)

Intersexism may be better thought of as a spectrum between male and female sex characteristics. Male characteristics are often grouped including XY chromosomes, higher testosterone levels, and bearing of the male genitalia. Female characteristics are often grouped including XX chromosomes, higher estrogen levels, and bearing the female genitalia. Inter folk may lie somewhere in between the spectrum of these traits (Doble, 2022).

There are individual differences in the intersex community. One of a Kind, Just Like You includes Alex’s experience and those of the people whom he encountered. Alex himself has Klinefelter Syndrome, a genetic condition where a person who is male at birth has chromosomal characteristics, XXY, instead of the typical XY. The condition may affect the body, such as having less bulky muscles, less hair, and increased breast tissue size (or gynecomastia; Mayo Clinic, 2024b).

Two other people in the story were those that Alex encountered in the Center for Gender Health and Wellness. One of them had Turner Syndrome. This refers to a genetic condition where a person who is female at birth has chromosomal characteristics, X, instead of the typical XX. The condition may affect the body such as in short height and widened chest (Mayo Clinic, 2022). 

Another person in the center, as well as Coach Sam, had Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, a genetic condition wherein the hormone producing organs, the adrenal glands, is affected. The adrenal glands produce testosterone, which affect the way the body develops. A “Classic CAH” may show as acne growth, low voice pitch, and as ambiguous genitalia (Mayo Clinic, 2024a).

These conditions typically arise from a unique growth of the body, where people typically consult an endocrinologist. An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in hormones. Hormones are  messengers in the body important for different functions such as sleep, growth, and reproduction (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

There is so much importance for intersex advocacy as this helps empower the community in ways that make their experiences normalized and validated. The story of Alex is just one of many interfolk children who deal with complex thoughts about himself and others. It is important to always be a guiding figure for your child in navigating these thoughts and emotions. It is likewise important to allow your child to realize that there is nothing wrong with themselves. A community that supports the child is one avenue for the child to feel seen. It is always better to find people who share the same experiences as us, as this will lead us to get to know ourselves better (International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation, 2018). Moving forward, it is the ambition of this project to have upheld the dignity of interfolk.

Abad, M. (2024). Refusing to be invisible: Intersex Filipinos struggle to be seen, understood. Rappler. Retrieved April 21, 2025. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/intersex-filipinos-struggle-seen-understood/

Michelle Abad is a reporter from Rappler. The article introduces the realities of intersex families and individuals in the Philippines. This is necessary to contextualize the concerns that are relevant to interfolk. The article talks about legal matters that are faced by intersex individuals, such as Jeff Cagandahan, who legally changed his identity. He is also the founder Intersex Philippines, and current co-chair of Intersex Asia. Challenges of intersex Filipinos are also highlighted: 1.) access to medication, 2.) non-consented intervention, 3.) psychological distress [from non-consensual intervention], and 4.) lack of research.

Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Endocrinologist. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22691-endocrinologist

An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in hormones. Hormones are  messengers in the body important for different functions such as sleep, growth, and reproduction. Cleveland Clinic is a hospital that advocates for health research and education. This source is important to elaborate on the scope of the work of an endocrinologist, the doctor consulted by Alex in the Center for Gender Health and Wellness.

Czerwiec, K. (2022, December). Intersex child’s parents’ negative experiences – case study. Kultura-Społeczeństwo-Edukacja. Retrieved April 18, 2025.  https://doi.org/10.14746/kse.2022.21.10 

Written by Karolina Czerwiec, an assistant professor whose research focuses on human identity and human gender identity in society, school, higher education, and social media. Czerwiec discusses the negative experiences of the parents of intersex children, and she emphasizes how social ignorance greatly contributes to their struggles. She also stresses the importance of supporting parents and intersex children to demonstrate to them and unknowledgeable individuals that intersexuality is not a tragedy nor a crisis. This reference shows that many people still struggle with intersexuality and suffer severe consequences due to lack of information regarding it. (95 words)

International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation, Organisation Intersex International Europe, & European Parents’ Association. (2018). Supporting Your Intersex Child [PDF]. IGLYO. https://www.iglyo.org/resources/supporting-your-intersex-child

IGLYO, OII Europe, and EPA are European organizations advocating for LGBTQI youth rights through education. Their precise but comprehensive guide provides an initial yet complete understanding of the nuances of intersex. It also presents ways to appropriately navigate daily and unique circumstances with regards to their child’s development and addresses common challenges from the parents’ perspective. With that said, their guide could help narrow the short storybook’s scope towards determining intersex children’s shared experiences and may aid in producing an effective educational material that teaches parents how to properly utilize the storybook by first educating them and addressing their concerns. (99 words)

Lazzara, J. (2020). Lifespan Development. Maricopa Community Colleges.

Dr. Julie Lazzara is a psychology professor. The source is a creative commons book, and is relevant since it outlines the psychodynamic, psychosocial and moral developmental stage concerned. The latency stage indicates that children find stimulation from social relationships, showing importance in forming friendships in order to gain confidence. School age children begin to be comparative with their peers, develop confidence, and form positive relationships. The conventional moral stage considers social norms, and emphasizes conformity towards social rules in order to maintain order.

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Turner Syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/turner-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360782

Turner syndrome refers to a genetic condition where a person who is female at birth has chromosomal characteristics, X, instead of the typical XX. The condition may affect the body such as in short height and widened chest. Mayo Clinic is a non-profit organization of medical experts. This source is necessary to supplement information on Turner Syndrome, the medical condition of another individual in the Center for Gender Health and Wellness.

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351793#:~:text=Gynecomastia%20(guy%2Dnuh%2Dkoh,gland%20tissue%20in%20male%20breasts.

Gynecomastia is a condition in men where breast tissue enlarges. It can be caused by imbalances in hormones wherein testosterone production is lower than expected, or inversely, wherein estrogen production is higher than expected. Gynecomastia is associated with Klinefelter Syndrome. Mayo Clinic is a non-profit organization of medical experts. This source is necessary to supplement information on gynecomastia, the medical condition of Alex, the main character of the story.

Mayo Clinic. (2024a). Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355205

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia refers to a genetic condition wherein the hormone producing organs, the adrenal glands, is affected. The adrenal glands produce testosterone, which affect the way the body develops. A “Classic CAH” may show as acne growth, low voice pitch, and as ambiguous genitalia. Mayo Clinic is a non-profit organization of medical experts. This source is necessary to supplement information on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Syndrome, the medical condition of another individual in the Center for Gender Health and Wellness, and of Coach Sam.

Mayo Clinic. (2024b). Klinefelter Syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/klinefelter-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353949

Klinefelter syndrome refers to a genetic condition where a person who is male at birth has chromosomal characteristics, XXY, instead of the typical XY. The condition may affect the body, such as having less bulky muscles, less hair, and increased breast tissue size (or gynecomastia). Mayo Clinic is a non-profit organization of medical experts. This source is necessary to supplement information on Klinefelter Syndrome, the medical condition of Alex, the main character of the story.

Raising Children Network. (2023, March 21). Childhood sexual development and sexual behaviour: 7-9 years. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/development/sexual-development/sexual-behaviour-7-9-years

and

Raising Children Network. (2023, March 21). Childhood sexual development and sexual behaviour: 10-11 years. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/development/puberty-sexual-development/childhood-sexual-behaviour-10-11-years

Raising Children Network is an organization, led by child development experts, which provides a guide for parents in raising their kids. The source is important as it depicts the expectations for ages 9-10, in the area of sexual development. At age 9, children typically display curiosity over the human body, and on differences they have with other people, including features on sex characteristics. At age 10, they may begin to enter puberty, which precipitates behaviors such as talking to peers about sexuality and concepts of sex, as well as engaging in identity exploration.

Senga, B. N. A. (2024). Intersex Justice in the Philippines: Inspiring Action Through Research. Intersex Asia.

Bryon Senga is the SOGIESC Coordinator of the UPCWGS. The source is relevant as it explains efforts of moving towards intersex rights, and shares evidence-based calls to action. Legally, intersex individuals are allowed to change their legal name and gender via RA 10172. There appears to be efforts from institutional levels: 1.) DOH engages with queer advocates, and 2.) PSA reaches out to queer communities regarding queer-inclusive research. More efforts can be done for intersex-affirming policies: 1.) punishable non-consensual interventions, 2.) de-pathologization of intersexism, and 3.) legal recognition of sex characteristics, apart from sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Oxford LGBTQ+ Society. (n.d.). Glossary Of Trans And Intersex Terms. https://www.oulgbtq.org/trans-and-intersex-glossary.html

Intersex is a term referring to people whose sex characteristics do not align with what is typically male or female. Physical, hormonal and genetic characteristics may manifest along the spectrum of blended male and female features, or non-wholly male or female features. The Oxford LGBTQ+ Society is a student organization advocating for safe spaces and diversity. The purpose of the source is to provide a definition for intersex.