Except that there are exceptions.
Sex is genetically determined. Two X chromosomes makes a female, one X and and a Y chromosome makes a male. However, genetic abnormalities occur not infrequently. There are some people with three X's, others with an X and two Y's. Furthermore, genes may be anomalously assigned to the sex chromosomes. For example, a gene for testosterone, the masculinizing hormone, which is normally found on the Y chromosome, may be located on an X chromosome, meaning that someone with the normal female compliment of two X chromosomes may have somewhat masculine characteristics. So although, so far as the great majority of the population is concerned, there are only two sexes, there is a minority who do not have the normal compliment of either male or femail characteristics, but may, indeed, have characteristics that span the male/female divide. Those who do not precisely fit the male/female system of classification are entitled to the same respect as anyone else.
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