Where the words came from
The labels “assigned female at birth” (AFAB) and “assigned male at birth” (AMAB) were first created by intersex people to describe real medical situations in which doctors had to choose a legal sex for babies whose bodies did not fit typical male or female patterns. “AMAB, AFAB were intersex terms used to recognize the mistakes made in the cases of some intersex people like my own” – DetransIS source [citation:8a89dae0-5df6-465d-bdc9-b1399b8a2643]. These words were never meant for the general population; they were a way to talk about specific surgeries and errors that intersex infants could not consent to.
How the meaning shifted
Over time, transgender activism began using the same words for anyone whose self-described gender identity differs from their biological sex. Detransitioners point out that this borrowing changes the purpose of the language. “The trans community just appropriated intersex yet again to try to make it make sense. But intersex is a physical thing while trans is purely mental” – brightescala source [citation:dac4cb58-10d4-4984-8fd0-034e2b8b4870]. In other words, the terms are now used to avoid naming biological sex rather than to highlight a medical condition.
The harm to intersex people
When the words are used this way, intersex individuals say their own history is erased. “Trans people have essentially set intersex people back 50 years… I’m worried that intersex people will lose their bodily autonomy” – 1997RnR_HoF source [citation:69695f16-61b0-4f03-92b6-6e9040797a29]. The original fight was about protecting children from unnecessary surgery; the new usage turns the words into identity labels that do not address those medical concerns.
A path forward without labels
Several detransitioned intersex people now choose simpler, factual language. “I just prefer to say I am an intersex female, or just a female” – SolidElderberry source [citation:6ba8afc-e5e7-4d00-b755-3ac7344b4f91]. By dropping the borrowed acronyms, they reclaim their own stories and make room for others to describe their bodies and experiences without relying on labels that were never meant for them.
Understanding where these words came from—and how their meaning has been stretched—can help anyone questioning gender expectations to speak about themselves with clarity and compassion. You do not need special terminology to reject limiting roles; honest language about your body and your personality is enough.