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In [[transgender ideology]], the term '''cisgender''' (often shortened ''cis'' as in ''cis man'' or ''cis woman'', sometimes used as a prefix) stands for a person whose supposed [[gender identity]] aligns with their [[sex]], as opposed to [[transgender]] people who claim to have a gender identity that contradicts their sex.<ref name=kristen_schilt/> Since feminists oppose the [[gender essentialism|gender essentialist]] notion of an inborn | In [[transgender ideology]], the term '''cisgender''' (often shortened ''cis'' as in ''cis man'' or ''cis woman'', sometimes used as a prefix) stands for a person whose supposed [[gender identity]] aligns with their [[sex]], as opposed to [[transgender]] people who claim to have a gender identity that contradicts their sex.<ref name=kristen_schilt/> Since feminists oppose the [[gender essentialism|gender essentialist]] notion of an inborn, inherent and essential feminine psyche, and define [[gender]] as a [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] tool of sex-based oppression rather than a personally felt identity, they consequently disagree with the concept of a "cisgender person" as defined on the basis of gender identity.<ref name=rrc/> | ||
A simplistic interpretation of ''cis'', often used to defend the term from its opponents, is "anyone who isn't trans." This defense fails to take into account precise definition of ''trans'' under transgender ideology, which rests not on the material state of being transsexual, but solely on the questionable concept of gender identity, which is a core tenet the ideology. | A simplistic interpretation of ''cis'', often used to defend the term from its opponents, is "anyone who isn't trans." This defense fails to take into account precise definition of ''trans'' under transgender ideology, which rests not on the material state of being transsexual, but solely on the questionable concept of gender identity, which is a core tenet the ideology. | ||
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A Google Trends analysis shows that interest in the term ''cisgender'' was virtually nonexistent in the years prior to 2010. After a gradual increase towards 2014, a sudden spike in interest can be seen in February 2014, and further occasional spikes along with a general increase in the years after.<ref name=gtrends/> | A Google Trends analysis shows that interest in the term ''cisgender'' was virtually nonexistent in the years prior to 2010. After a gradual increase towards 2014, a sudden spike in interest can be seen in February 2014, and further occasional spikes along with a general increase in the years after.<ref name=gtrends/> | ||
== Feminist criticism == | |||
While a simplistic definition of ''cisgender'' such as "everyone who isn't transgender" seems innocuous, the precise definition rests on the concept of [[gender identity]]. A "cis woman," for instance, is said to be a person who is both physically [[female]], and who possesses a "female gender identity." While proponents of transgender ideology tend to refuse explainig what a female gender identity comprises, it seems similar to the oppressive notion that women have a feminine psyche or an inherent identification with feminine stereotypes. | |||
The concept leaves little room for a woman who is comfortable with her female anatomy, sees herself as nothing other than a "woman" in accordance with a straightforward biological definition, and yet rejects [[sexism|sexist]] notions of an inherent feminine nature of her personality. She could be a strongly gender non-conforming radical feminist, and yet the mere act of calling herself a "woman" would mean that she has a female gender identity. As such, she would belong in the same category as a conservative woman who strictly adheres to traditional notions of femininity. Furthermore, even if we defined the former woman as "transgender" on the basis of her gender non-conformity, the femininity-conforming woman in this example would have to be seen as being the way she is out of her inherent nature, since being transgender/cisgender is said not to be a choice. Opposite to that, the feminist perspective would posit that the woman who conforms to traditional femininity has internalized sexist oppression, is limiting her freedom, and could mentally break free and embrace gender non-conformity if she were to raise to a feminist political consciousness. | |||
Another problem with the concept of cisgender arises when considering lesbian women, especially butch lesbians, for whom gender non-conformity feels natural. While every woman can choose to disregard rules of femininity after coming to a political consciousness, some women, especially lesbians, might feel naturally repelled from feminine stereotypes, beginning in early childhood. The concept of gender identity would have it that they are possibly transgender and as such not women, even though they might feel perfectly content with the word "woman" when stripped off of feminine stereotypes and limited to a non-sexist, scientific definition. Yet the concept of "cisgender" groups them together with women who find it easier to perform femininity, effectively erasing their unique experiences with regard to gender. | |||
== Recommended reading == | == Recommended reading == | ||