The True Meaning of the Word ' Cisgender '

[stephaniec]

The True Meaning of the Word  ' Cisgender '

http://www.advocate.com/transgender/2015/07/31/true-meaning-word-cisgender

The Advocate/BY Sunnivie Brydum July 31 2015 6:00 AM ET

"Let's get one thing straight: The Oxford English Dictionary describes the word "cisgender" as an adjective and defines it as "Denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity conforms with the gender that corresponds to their biological sex; not transgender."

Beginning a feature with the "dictionary definition" of a subject goes against every lesson drilled into a prospective journalist's head in J-school, but in this instance, it's necessary. Because alongside the stratospheric rise in media visibility for transgender people comes the all-too-predictable pushback from those who are uncomfortable with change or those who claim the term is yet another unnecessary label that only serves to divide us, spotlighting our differences."

[Rejennyrated]

Actually I kind of agree with every word of that. I don't like labels, and though for convennience of understanding, I sometimes acknowledge that I have a trans past I dont ever think I have a trans present because I believe the surgical cure worked.

Thing is, I realise some people like labels because they help them make sense of the world, but others of us don't because we feel they constrain and limit us. I regard my potential as infinite - I don't want some poxy milstone label hanging round my neck, because to be frank I've yet to find one that truly fits me.

Yes I am very sympathetic to "trans" issues - and yes I did have SOME but NOT ALL of the feature in my own past - but then I also have had many other things than dont fit with that definition and these days I really dont see the need to have explain in all that detail.

So for some of us its really easier just to disown all these labels and say I am NOT trans I am NOT cis I am not any of these things. I am just ME!

[suzifrommd]

Actually I kind of agree with every word of that. I don't like labels

Are you saying we should have a word at all that means "not trans"?

As a writer, I find that frustrating. If you don't have a word to mean what you're trying to talk about, it becomes much harder to express yourself.

For example:

End racism now!

vs.

End that thing where people of one race claim to be superior to people of another race now!

IMO, objecting to the word cisgender is a way of taking away our community's voice by making it harder to express what we need to say.