A Comprehensive Guide to Intersex

This comprehensive yet accessible resource provides readers with everything they need to know about intersex - people who are born with any range of sex characteristics that might not fit typical binary notions about male and female bodies.

Covering a wide variety of topics in an easy-to-read way, the book explores what intersex is, what it is not, a detailed overview of its 40 or so different variations, historical and social aspects of intersex and medical intervention, along with practical, proven advice on how professionals can help and support intersex people.

Written by an intersex man with over 65 years of first-hand experience, this book is an ideal introduction for any medical, health and social care professional or student, as well as family members and friends, seeking to improve their practice and knowledge.

Jay Kyle Petersen was born in 1952, in Pipestone, Minnesota, USA, a conservative rural county hospital, with a rare inborn intersex male variation of genetic and hormonal origin, raised on a small dairy farm nearby and loved and supported by his paternal Grandmother, Alice, his lifelong ally. He dedicated his book to her.
His book, A Comprehensive Guide To Intersex, international in scope, is presently in library holdings in 28 countries and growing.
His National Public Radio author interview with Mark Brodie 2025:
https://www.kjzz.org/the-show/2025-05-22/were-born-this-way-without-a-choice-how-trumps-policies-on-gender-impact-intersex-people
He was selected for inclusion in the LGBTQIA Two-Spirit Mapping Project by the Minnesota Historical Society:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d1cc52f2432d4e3787507eb3ef8b1675
Jay holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University with additional Master's degrees in Philosophy/Religion, Music Education and Bachelor's in Studio Art. He has shared his story taught intersex basics for Brown University School of Public Health and Oracle Corporation and VJ Ware among others.
He has been clean and sober from drugs and alcohol since 1977.
Jay is also an artist since 1977. His paintings are in Heritage Museum collections in Berlin and Amsterdam and permanent collections throughout the US. Resume:
https://jaykylepetersen.com/