Cis: What Does it Mean?

We’ve all heard it before: Cis. But what exactly does it mean? Let’s explore further.

What Does ‘Cis’ Mean?

The term cisgender (often shortened to “cis”) refers to an individual whose gender identity aligns with their assigned sex at birth. In other words, a cisgender person identifies as the gender they were assumed to be when they were born. This can include males identifying as male and females identifying as female, but can also include those who identify as non-binary or gender-fluid and those who identify outside of the gender binary and believe their gender is not fixed.

Cisgender is the opposite of transgender, which refers to individuals whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth.

The Meaning Behind Cis

The term cisgender is derived from the Latin prefix “cis-”, which means ‘on this side’. This prefix is often used to denote someone who is “on the same side” of something as an individual or group. In this case, it implies that someone is on the same side of the gender spectrum as their assigned sex at birth.

By comparison, transgender is derived from the Latin prefix “trans”, which means ‘across’. This prefix implies that someone identifies themselves as a different gender than their assigned sex at birth.

The Emergence of Cisgender

The term cisgender was coined in the early 1990s as a way to recognize transgender individuals without labeling them “opposites”. Prior to the coinage of cisgender, the only word used to refer to gender was simply “gender”, which was a blanket term used to encompass both cisgender and transgender individuals. This caused transgender individuals to feel as though their gender was an anomaly, rather than a normal part of the gender spectrum.

Cisgender made it possible for non-transgender individuals to understand the concept of gender diversity and to recognize that transgender individuals were not necessarily the opposite of cisgender individuals. This helped foster acceptance of gender diversity and combat the stigma often associated with transgender individuals.

Conclusion

Cisgender is an important term in the conversation around gender diversity. It helps to normalize the concept of gender identity and reminds us all that the gender spectrum is greater than simply male or female. It also helps us to recognize that people are entitled to their own gender identity, free from judgement or stigma.

Ultimately, cisgender is an important term to help us be more aware of gender diversity and respect the identities of all individuals.