Oh, So THAT’S What It Means To Be Cisgender
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Maybe you've heard the word "cisgender" tossed around in conversation, on TV, or on social media, and now you're wondering: wait, what is cisgender? Am I cisgender? Is cisgender different from heterosexual?
Not to worry, here's everything you need to know about the term.
What does 'cisgender' mean?
Cisgender—pronounced “sis-gender”—refers to a person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth, says Sarah McBride, national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign and author of Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality. "It’s a term used to ensure that when we’re talking about people who are trans, we don’t use a problematic term like 'normal' to describe those who are cisgender," she explains. "We say 'cisgender is to trans as straight is to gay.'"
If you just now realize that you identify as cis (short for cisgender), it might take you a little time to add it to your everyday vocab. But as McBride says, no one was saying "heterosexual" or "straight" until those terms were specifically introduced to avoid similar problems. Now? It's second nature.
Is being cisgender the same as being straight?
Nope. Cisgender/transgender refers to your gender identity, and straight/gay refers to your sexual identity (who you're attracted to). "They’re two distinct concepts," says McBride. "They refer to two different parts of someone’s identity."
If you consider yourself cisgender, you can be straight, gay, queer, bisexual...And if you’re trans, you can be those things, too. "Whether you’re trans or cis, you can have any different number of sexual orientations," adds McBride.
I’ve heard the term "cisgender privilege." What does that mean?
Quick pop culture ref: If you're a Vanderpump Rules fan, you know that transgender activist Billie Lee made waves with her cisgender female cast members this season when she suggested they had cis-privilege.
"Cis-privilege means you don’t face the barriers or challenges that are specifically associated with someone who is trans," explains McBride.
For instance: If you’re cis, people believe you when you tell them what gender you are. But trans people often aren’t believed. "They consistently have to prove or argue their humanity or basic dignity," she says. "That’s not something those who are cisgender typically have to experience." Trans people also often face backlash from family members that many cis people pretty much never worry about. So while everyone's got something they're going through, not having a core part of your identity under constant attack is a form of privilege.
I’ve also heard about being an ally. How can I do this?
Basically, a transgender ally is a cisgender person who supports trans rights. They also support LGBTQ social movements and challenge transphobia whenever possible. Sound good? Here are a few ways to get started:
1. Begin with education.
"Read and watch the news, seek out info that educates you on gender identity so you have a foundation of knowledge that allows you to respectfully interact and support the trans community," says McBride. Along with the Human Rights Campaign, you can also turn to the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National LGBTQ Task Force for info.
2. Speak up.
If an acquaintance, coworker, or family member makes an inappropriate remark or joke marginalizing trans people, tell them they’re out of line. Ignoring those comments only helps perpetuate damaging stigma and creates a culture that allows discrimination to exist.
3. Become an advocate.
"Look around your workplace or school to see if they have policies in place that support trans people," says McBride. If they don’t, advocate for policy change. And you'll definitely want to educate yourself on where your state or federal candidates stand on LGBTQ rights. That info can help you vote for people who share your values.
4. Use appropriate pronouns.
Trans people are often misgendered, so if you know or are referring to a trans person in conversation, make sure to use the appropriate pronouns (she/her; he/him, they/them). And if you're not sure, you can share your preferred pronouns first and then ask about theirs.
When you do this, you help normalize these terms and serve as a positive example to others. "My hope is for people to be open to expanding our language in a way that respects the dignity of every person," says McBride.
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