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    Gonosimulistic refers to a sexually reproducing species of animal where all individuals have both male and female gametes. It was proposed by the intersex community to replace 'hermaphrodite' in biology, since the latter is often used as a slur.

    History

    The term was first proposed by a paper titled Gonosimulism - An alternative to 'hermaphrodite' in biology [sic] on an unknown date.[1] The paper states that "[many] terms in the scientific community are changed if they become derogatory to a group of people," and that "[in] a perfect world, we would do the same with the word hermaphrodite." It also proposes gonochoric as an antonym of gonosimulistic. Furthermore, the paper also has a paragraph stating,

    "Needless to say, hermaphrodite is not synonymous, or even related, to intersex when used by its correct definition. The word hermaphrodite is no longer used for intersex people in a diagnostic context; however, the damage remains, and intersexuality is still widely conflated with hermaphroditism. This term is widely considered to be a slur among the intersex community, and is linked to stereotypes, misinformation, fetishization, and bigotry. This term is commonly used to this day to refer to intersex people, regardless of whether or not it is considered to be scientifically accurate, even in a medical context albeit not officially. Many intersex people report their doctors referring to them using this word, or seeing it in their medical history due to how recently it was changed."[1]

    It ends by saying that, although hermaphrodite is generally considered fine to use in reference to animals, the damage is too great to be ignored, and a replacement term is needed.[1]

    Etymology

    Gono (generation, Greek) + simul (to combine, Latin)

    Resources

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