Understanding Cisgender: Is It Offensive to Call Someone Cisgender?
The term cisgender is a commonly used academic and social descriptor for individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. Despite its seemingly straightforward definition, the term cisgender can sometimes be met with resistance and even perceived as derogatory. This raises the question: is it derogatory to call someone cisgender, and if so, why?
The Definition of Cisgender
Cisgender is a synonym for non-transgender. It refers to individuals who don’t experience a mismatch between their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth. Essentially, it’s a term used to emphasize and highlight the normative experience of gender identity. However, the introduction of this term, much like other identity terms such as homosexual, autistic, or transgender, is rooted in linguistic and political contexts that reveal deeper societal dynamics.
Linguistic and Political Contexts
Linguists use the term markedness to describe how certain words or concepts come to the forefront of language to mark or label aspects of deviance or difference. Traditionally, society often pays attention to those who deviate from the norm. For example, terms like homosexual, autistic, and transgender emerged to denote those who appeared to deviate from societal expectations. These terms, in early stages, were often met with resistance and even seen as negative characterizations.
In response, language often develops opposing terms to refer to those who do conform to the norm. The emergence of heterosexual, able-bodied, and cisgender terms reflects this pattern. Initially, these new terms, such as cisgender, can encounter resistance. Statements like "I am just normal, not diagnosed or identified as anything" reflect the discomfort many may feel.
Privilege and Identity
The concept of privilege plays a significant role in this phenomenon. Those who are part of the presumed norm might unconsciously consider their experience to be the default. This default position can be seen as a privilege, as it allows for a sense of normalcy without questioning. However, labeling individuals with terms that identify them as a subgroup can be seen as a threat to one's sense of identity.
For instance, if a new term were to emerge to describe people who are not pedophiles, such as a term like teleiophile, many might initially perceive it as an offensive label. This reaction can be attributed to the discomfort of being categorized and the underlying prejudice or unease one may have about the designated group.
Acceptance and Resistance in Society
Over time, as new terms are accepted and integrated into societal norms, the dynamics can shift. Those who initially resisted the term cisgender may later embrace it as a way to promote equality and inclusivity. This shift has already been observed with terms like LGBTQ and non-binary becoming more widely accepted.
However, this acceptance can lead to a new form of resistance, where individuals who resist the term may be accused of cisphobia, a term that refers to the perceived hatred, discrimination, or prejudice against cisgender individuals. As these terms become more integrated into society, their meanings and implications evolve, and new forms of backlash may arise.
Defending the Term Cisgender
Some argue that there is nothing offensive or derogatory about the term cisgender. It simply defines the experience of being matched with one's birth-assigned gender. One might retort that only a mutant would argue that there is anything wrong with being normal, implying that the term cisgender only highlights the normative experience rather than an abnormal one.
The term cisgender is rooted in the idea of normalcy, coming from the Latin word "cis," meaning "on this side of" or "the same side as." It does not carry a pejorative connotation but rather serves to name and recognize a particular experience.
Conclusion
The term cisgender serves an important purpose in highlighting and affirming the normative experience of gender identity. While it has faced resistance and even been perceived as derogatory at times, the dynamics surrounding its usage can shift as society evolves. Understanding the context in which this term emerged and the linguistic and political processes at play can help us appreciate its significance and the role it plays in promoting inclusivity and awareness around gender identity.