Gender and sexual identity can get quite confusing these days. The world is beginning to become more tolerant of the people who don't completely "fit" into gender and sex categories such as male and female and sexual orientation categories such as gay, straight and bisexual. But the terminology for those who don't categorize themselves as any of the above can be confusing to keep up with. First, let's talk physical characteristics. People who were born with genitals that have both male and female characteristics used to be called "hermaphrodites." That term refers only to the physical characteristics, but "intersexed" means a person may have not only ambiguous genitalia, but also may blur the lines of gender identity – or the way he/she self-identifies as a boy and/or girl. For intersexed people, some countries even allow a third category of identification – "X" instead of "M" or "F." A similar term is "transgender."

This one can exist in an intersexed person; however, it basically means that the inside, or gender identity, doesn't match the outside, or the physical characteristics. It's possible for transgendered people to be born hermaphrodites and have surgery early in life to have a physical sexual identity assigned. However, if given the wrong genitalia, then the person may feel "wrong" and require gender reassignment later in life. Transsexual people identify as a member of the opposite sex and choose to live their lives as that sex. They may or may not undergo the process of gender reassignment therapy, hormone replacement therapy and/or sex reassignment therapy. And finally, cross dressers may be none of the above – he or she may simply enjoy wearing the clothing and taking on the look of the opposite sex.