Cisgender: Difference between revisions

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.

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.  Although a person with female anatomy is allowed to identify out of the feminine gender under this world view, a false dichotomy is drawn between female people who belong naturally into the feminine gender vs. female people who belong naturally outside of it.

<ref name=kristen_schilt>Schilt, Kristen; Westbrook, Laurel (August 2009). "Doing Gender, Doing Heteronormativity: 'Gender Normals,' Transgender People, and the Social Maintenance of Heterosexuality". Gender & Society. 23 (4): 440–464 [461]. doi:10.1177/0891243209340034</ref>

<ref name=rrc>https://aeon.co/essays/the-idea-that-gender-is-a-spectrum-is-a-new-gender-prison</ref>

<ref name=volkmar>Sigusch, Volkmar (February 1998). "The Neosexual Revolution". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 27 (4): 331–359. doi:10.1023/A:1018715525493. PMID 9681118.</ref>

<ref name=green>Green, Eli R. (2006). "Debating Trans Inclusion in the Feminist Movement: A Trans-Positive Analysis". Journal of Lesbian Studies. 10 (1/2): 231–248 [247]. doi:10.1300/j155v10n01_12. PMID 16873223.</ref>

<ref name=serano>Serano, Julia (2007). Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity. Seal Press. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-58005-154-5.</ref>

Pfeffer, Carla (2009). "Trans (Formative) Relationships: What We Learn About Identities, Bodies, Work and Families from Women Partners of Trans Men". Ph.D Dissertation, Department of Sociology, University of Michigan.<br/>

Williams, Rhaisa (November 2010). "Contradictory Realities, Infinite Possibilities: Language Mobilization and Self-Articulation Amongst Black Trans Women". Penn McNair Research Journal. 2 (1).<br/>

Drescher, Jack (September 2009). "Queer Diagnoses: Parallels and Contrasts in the History of Homosexuality, Gender Variance, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 39 (2): 427–460. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9531-5. PMID 19838785.

<ref name=gtrends>https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=cisgender</ref>