In discussions about gender, particularly as the term transgender gains more visibility, you might encounter the word cis or cisgender. Understanding what these terms mean is crucial for engaging in respectful and informed conversations about identity. Simply put, cisgender describes individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Visual representation defining cisgender as when someone's gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth, featuring baby boy and baby girl illustrations
Breaking Down the Definition of Cisgender
To fully grasp the meaning of cisgender, it’s helpful to understand a few key concepts. When a baby is born, they are typically assigned a sex – usually male or female – based on observable physical characteristics. This is often referred to as sex assigned at birth. Separately, gender identity is a person’s internal sense of being a man, woman, both, neither, or somewhere else along the gender spectrum.
A cisgender person is someone for whom these two aspects align. If a doctor announced “It’s a girl!” at your birth, and you internally identify and live as a woman, you are likely cisgender. Similarly, if the announcement was “It’s a boy!” and you identify and live as a man, you are also cisgender. The vast majority of people are cisgender; it’s simply the most common experience of gender identity.
The Origin and History of “Cisgender”
The term cisgender emerged as a counterpart to transgender. While transgender has been in use since around 1970, cisgender is a more recent term, dating back to the early 1990s. It’s derived from the Latin prefix “cis-“, which means “on this side of”. In this context, “cis” signifies “on the same side of” – meaning gender identity is on the same side as, or aligns with, the sex assigned at birth.
Cisgender vs. Transgender: Understanding the Difference
Understanding cisgender is often made clearer when contrasted with transgender. While cisgender describes alignment, transgender describes a mismatch. Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
For example, a transgender woman is someone who was assigned male at birth but whose gender identity is female. Conversely, a transgender man is someone who was assigned female at birth but whose gender identity is male. It’s important to note that transgender encompasses a wide range of experiences and identities, and is not limited to just a binary understanding of gender.
Is “Cisgender” a Slur?
It’s important to address the question of whether cisgender or cis are considered offensive terms. The answer is definitively no. These terms are not slurs. They are neutral descriptors used in academic, medical, and social contexts to accurately describe a common gender identity experience.
While any word can be misused or weaponized, cisgender itself is not inherently negative. It is simply a descriptive term, just like transgender, man, or woman. Using accurate and respectful language is crucial for fostering understanding and inclusivity in conversations about gender.
Why is the Term “Cisgender” Important?
The development and use of the term cisgender is significant for several reasons:
- Provides a Common Language: It gives us a word to describe the experience of the majority, which is often taken as the default or unmarked category.
- Normalizes Transgender Identities: By naming the dominant experience, it helps to destigmatize and normalize transgender identities as different, but equally valid, experiences of gender.
- Facilitates Deeper Understanding: It allows for more nuanced and accurate discussions about gender, identity, and societal structures that are often built around cisgender experiences as the norm.
In conclusion, cisgender is a valuable term for understanding the spectrum of gender identity. It simply describes individuals whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth, and it plays a crucial role in fostering respectful and informed conversations about gender for everyone.
