The use of "CIS" or "cisgender"

Squeaky94

Just because something is on the internet doesn't make it legitimate.

The fact that it's use is widespread and recognised is actually what is making it legitimate; whether we like it or not "the internet" is not apart from "real life", but if this was a just a topic about linguistics, then it wouldn't spark this much discussion

I think it's pointless to make out a word as "bad" when in fact only the intentions behind it are bad. In my eyes cisgender is a useful and descriptive word that comes in handy when discussing gender-related issues; of course it's a limitative label to describe an individual as a whole, but as Mrker1234 pointed out, sometimes labeling is necessary (and inevitable).

I see this issue as an opposite of what happened with the term "queer", that started as an insult and eventually was reclaimed as descriptive: the fact that the use of "cisgender" is still debated shows that it isn't well established yet and that it could go either way, depending on what use will prevail.
Personally I don't feel like we need another way to discriminate on sexuality, so I'm hoping people will realise that calling someone "cis scum" is just pointless riling.

cannonmc

Perhaps I'm lucky. I don't discuss "gender-related issues" so I have no need for "a useful and descriptive [yet ugly] word"

I may be wrong but my memory says that 'queer' didn't start as an insult. Check out Ruth Wallis And calling anyone any kind of 'scum' doesn't seem friendly or helpful.

And if you really want to read some psycho-babble about Queerness (their word) try this - the author actually had pieces printed in a national newspaper. The paper is no longer…

antstorm

Cis is neither a made up word or a word that is new or "invented on the internet"
those of us the work in psychology and psychiatrics use the term neutrally and have done for a while now.

its a Latin-derived prefix cis-, meaning "on this side of", which is an antonym for the Latin-"trans"-, meaning "on the other side of". so when Cisgender is mentioned it means on this side of the gender
transgender means on the other side of

to quote Rawson on its usage.

"It’s an incredible and invisible power to not need to name yourself because the norms have already done that for you. You don’t need to come out as heterosexual or cisgender because it is already expected. Since it isn’t a derogatory term, those who take exception to it may be uncomfortable with trans issues or perhaps they are unwilling to confront their own privilege."

Cis-gender is not a slur it just means you identify with the gender and or sex you were born with.
those that see it in the same light as Breeder or faggot equally horrid terms ,are delusional or intellectually naive, as are those socialist wannabe's that use the term in that fashion.

cannonmc

Cis and cisgender are made up words, as are all words. cisgender dates from the 1990s. Vintage in porn terms, new in dictionary terms.

And I still think it is an ugly word, not in its meaning but just as a word. And a word I have never used. Except in this thread of course

Tutankhaten

Regardless of its origin, the term cis is used by the trans community, in particular non-binary and gender fluid member it seems, to attack and shoot-down debate with non-trans (i.e. cis) people. The term is used to suggest that because the individual is cis, he/she is privilaged in that they are in the majority and experience little oppression because of their gender. It is a term simply used to dismiss others and cause them to feel bad about their privilage in this new game of oppression-olympics that seems to have taken over the internet and universities. The term is used against gay men and women and other minorities who identify with their assigned-gender to suggest that they are stil privilaged in spite of their status as a minority and thus their opinions are those on non-trans, privilaged people and so should hold no merit - it is quite a sad term and is used more politically than just as a simple means of catagorization.

horyna

Well, there has to be a word for everything and I'm very happy that I have one more now. I was really missing the word sooo often.

hhsq

Cisgenders don't need a 'community' because they are the norm. There is no real discrimination against cicgenders (if you believe a transgender person is discriminating you… well... maybe there are really some trans people who do that... but c'mon... the life of cisgender people is in anyway affected by any kind of discrimination on that regard). It would be the same thing as to say straight people need protections and need to form a community. They don't... majority and provilledged groups don't need that. That's not just ~~PC Culture~~ it's sheer reality and logic.

semurg30

It's a stupid term. I prefer the term normal.

cannonmc

I too think it's a silly term but when I say that I usually get shouted down

It strikes me as a made-up word (yes, I know they all are) waiting for a quack to use

Dry

I feel it is also a silly term but it seems okay to me if it is being used in a medical sense and less in the way of, "You don't understand the STRUGGLE you white cis male bigot!" It just seems quite childish when used this way and seems to be used to shut down arguments.

pasha

most people on here seem to hate it because they associate with a certain type of person in their mind who uses this word rather than the word itself.
Cisgender, transgender, words to increase our understanding of the world, I like it

upNXT

The term wasn't coined until around 1998…we got along without it quite fine. And I agree with the original post...why? just why? It is an attempt (or at least how it is used) to pigeon hole the majority of human kind. Most don't have trouble with identifying with their birth sex, so it doesn't need a term...the acceptation, that needs a differentiating term...Speaking as a minority gay male. Makes sense to me.

scramer

@upNXT:

The term wasn't coined until around 1998…we got along without it quite fine. And I agree with the original post...why? just why? It is an attempt (or at least how it is used) to pigeon hole the majority of human kind. Most don't have trouble with identifying with their birth sex, so it doesn't need a term...the acceptation, that needs a differentiating term...Speaking as a minority gay male. Makes sense to me.

That's foolish. Most people are not attracted exclusively to the same sex, so why do the terms gay and homosexual exist? Why does ambidextrous exist as a term or paraplegic since most people are neither?

alma

I'm sorry but i really need to know …What does cisgender means ?
I read about it but it still Don't get it .

I keep hearing cis but what does it mean ???

cannonmc

Basically it means someone who identifies as the gender they were 'assigned' at birth.

Wikipedia

So if they said 'It's a boy' and you identify as male, that's cisgender. Not a word that would cross my lips voluntarity

alma

@cannonmc:

Basically it means someone who identifies as the gender they were 'assigned' at birth.

Wikipedia

So if they said 'It's a boy' and you identify as male, that's cisgender. Not a word that would cross my lips voluntarity

?? but still isn't that just being yourself ?
I mean i don't get it . an adult male is a Man , and an adult Girl is a woman , No matter how Butch or Girly they act .

And I believe that transgendered people are the gender they want to be . ftm is a man and mtf is a woman . in my book
So where does cisgender fit in ??

cannonmc

It doesn't really 'fit in'

Some academic decided non-trans people needed a special word to describe them so came up with 'cis'. If ever a word was not needed it was probably 'cisgender'.

MancCub

It's so funny seeing some gays taking umbrage over semantics when it's played a big role in the gay rights movement.

alma

…...I still don't get it ?? Does it mean straight or ?? or does cisgender mean transgander ??

cannonmc

No, it doesn't mean straight.

And it is the opposite of transgender