The term 'cisgender' is a term that is becoming more common on the internet, and there is a whole wave of people who still might not understand what it means. If you have seen the term 'cisgender' then the first thing to know is that it's the direct opposite of the term 'transgender'. This post clarifies the meaning and origin of this term.
Meaning
The term 'cisgender' is the opposite of the term “transgender”, and it refers to someone who associates with the same sex as their gender from their birth.
If someone is 'cisgender' then they are the same gender from birth, whereas someone who is described as 'transgender' is not considered their birth gender.
The term 'cisgender' is often used as a reference by people on social media, but the term might also sometimes be used as a tag. It can also appear as context in a sentence, to distinguish cisgender people from others in conversation.
Whilst the term 'cisgender' predates most forms of social media, the term has gained many more popular mentions thanks to social media.
Extensive scientific research accepts the existence of more than two genders, of which trans- and cisgender are some of the defined terms.
The term 'cisgender' is used as a collective term, and usually there is no need to apply a plural term like 'cisgenders.'
Example Usage
“If you think that both your parents are cisgender, then I have some news for you about the surgery your dad is going to start having.”
“I spent three hours explaining to my grandparents that they were born cisgender, and that they couldn't change it on their social media profiles unless they were planning on switching around genders and having a ton of hormones.”
“These aren't cisgender pants. They just aren't.”
“If you aren't transgender, then you were likely born cisgender.”
Origin
The term 'cisgender' was first used in the year 1994, and it has been in popular use since then with usage increasing as trans-versus-cis issues received more coverage in mainstream media.
After the term first appeared in the year 1994, internet resources report that the word was added to most English-language dictionaries from the mid-2010s.
The official acceptance into the dictionary marks an important time in history where the difference between transgender and cisgender is more clearly understood (and part of academic resources when research needs to be done).
With the term already out there by the point social media became more mainstream, the term 'cisgender' and its abbreviation 'cis' became far more common.
Phrases Similar to Cisgender
- Straight
- Cis
Phrases Opposite to Cisgender
- Transgender
- Trans
What is the Correct Saying?
- Cisgender
- Cis
Ways People May Say Cisgender Incorrectly
There are several ways in which the term 'cisgender' can be used in the wrong, if someone misunderstands the context or meaning of the word.
The term 'cisgender' is used to refer to people who are of the same gender as their birth, as opposed to transgender.
The term 'cisgender' can be abbreviated to 'cis' and still be acceptable.
For the term to be used in the correct way, the meaning has to be understood.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Cisgender
The correct way to phrase the term 'cisgender' is to use it as reference to someone who is the same gender that they were born with.
The term 'cis' and 'cisgender' are both acceptable.