cisgender

cisgender, term used in reference to persons whose gender identity corresponds with their sex assigned at birth. The prefix cis is derived from Latin and means “on this side of” or “on the same side as.” The concept of cisgender de-emphasizes the notion that aligning with one’s sex at birth is the only or most prevalent way to experience gender, thereby helping to promote inclusivity and acceptance of diverse gender identities.

Terminology

The term cis contrasts with the Latin-derived prefix trans, which means “across” or “on the other side of” and which is used—as in transgender or, simply, trans—to describe people whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. In this way, the term cisgender is used to avoid the problematic practice of referring to non-transgender people as “real” men or “real” women, which implies that transgender identity is not genuine.

In the late 1800s, sexologists used the term inversion to describe individuals who identified with a different gender than their biological sex. In the works of German physician Magnus Hirschfeld, inversion referred to individuals who were attracted to members of the same sex or who identified with a gender other than their biological sex. Hirschfeld believed that homosexuality and transgender identity were natural variations of human sexuality and advocated for the destigmatization and understanding of these identities through scientific research and greater awareness.

Modern usage

Use of the term cisgender has increased greatly over time. Today it is used particularly in academic and activist circles, where it has contributed to a greater understanding and acceptance of gender identities with varying characteristics. It is widely employed in discussions of gender, and its role in promoting inclusivity and respect for individuals regardless of their gender identity is broadly acknowledged. In 2013 the third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary incorporated several related terms, including cis, cisgendered, cissexual, cissexist, and cissexism, illustrating the growing relevance of the term in public discourse.

In the 21st century, the concept of cisgender has had especially important impacts in the context of queer and trans issues. The pervasiveness of cisnormativity—a term that refers to the assumption that everyone is cisgender—often reinforces the idea of cisgender as the default identity. Thus, the significance of the term cisgender lies in its ability to establish a distinct category that validates the experiences of individuals who identify as such while also creating a space for individuals who identify outside of this category to feel that their identity is equally valid and not viewed through an unspoken, dominant lens. It provides language to describe and discuss the experiences of those who have not had to face the same societal and structural barriers that transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals often face. Moreover, recognizing the existence of cisgender individuals challenges the ways in which cisnormativity reinforces harmful gender norms and stereotypes.