Salmacian

A salmacian is an altersex identity describing someone who is born with singularly designated sex traits (only male or only female anatomy) but feels that they have, should have, or desire both a penis and a vagina, or some mix or variation of male and female genitals. It is a term centered on internal sense of sexed embodiment, not necessarily on gender identity or medical status. Salmacian can be experienced as a sex identity, a gendered feeling, or a blend of both. People may use the label because they resonate with the idea of having a mixed genital configuration. While the term originally described people not born intersex, anyone—intersex or not—may use it if the concept meaningfully describes their experience. This identity can involve: - Dysphoria about having only one set of genitals. - Euphoria at the idea or imagery of mixed genitals. - An internal sense that how they feel about themselves doesn’t match their physical anatomy. Some salmacian people desire physical modification or imagine mixed-genital surgeries, while others do not seek medical transition at all. The identity is not dependent on medical intention. Salmacian people may identify with one or more related terms such as: - Bisex/Bigenital - Aphrodisian - Ambisex/Ambiadic - Bigenital/Bigen - Androgyne/Bigender Some salmacians identify as trans, non-binary, genderqueer, gender variant, or simply as salmacian. Others do not consider themselves trans. Not everyone who imagines or desires dual genitals uses the salmacian label, and not all salmacians want transition or modification. ### Trans Salmacian Trans salmacian is a subcategory of salmacian people who also identify as trans. This label is used by salmacians who may: - Experience dysphoria strong enough to consider medical transition. - View their transition as moving toward a mixed-sex embodiment. - Pursue hormonal or surgical options, or explore symbolic or social forms of transition. ### Origins of the Term The term Salmacian was first recorded in Angel’s Dictionary (1996) by Raphael Carter. It was used for people then labeled male-to-intersex or female-to-intersex transsexuals. The name was inspired by the Greek myth of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus, who merged into one body combining male and female traits. In later years, especially through Tumblr and altersex communities, the definition shifted away from implying intersex status and toward describing people who were not born intersex, but who identify with, desire, or experience themselves as having mixed characteristics. Members felt other labels didn’t accurately reflect the experience of people who were not born intersex, but still felt an internal pull toward having mixed or dual genitals.