Perspectives on Cisgender and Transgender Relations

Cisgender and Transgender in Relation

Cisgender is an identity category utilized by those whose sex assigned at birth aligns with their gender identity. As a relatively new term (i.e., 1990s), the differentiation between cisgender and transgender differentiates those who have sex/gender alignment from those who do not. Whereas the differentiation is not inherently problematic, in terms of organizing individuals and communities, it has created a binary that stigmatizes and marginalizes those “who do not” have alignment, i.e. transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals. Specifically, this binaristic conceptualization of gender identity privileges those who have alignment, as their gender identity is normalized to the extent of invisibility. In other words, cisgender people do not necessarily have to consider their gender identity until it is questioned.

Transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals, however, must consider their identity and safety in many situations. For instance, public restroom and locker room use can become a matter of personal safety for most individuals who do not conform to a gender binary and/or who do not “pass” as the gender assigned to the space. Cisgender people have the privilege of generally blending in and thus gaining access to safety, security, and resources (e.g., housing, employment, loans, medical support) that are not afforded those who do not as easily, readily, or willingly blend in, especially if they are white, middle- to upper-class, heterosexual, able-bodied, etc.

Further, these cisgender individuals in the U.S. exist within an entire culture created by and for them. A cis-centric culture is one that caters to the needs and desires of cisgender people. The U.S. and many other cultures across the world assume that cisgender identities are “natural” or “normal” and thus the most legitimate way of identifying.

Cissexism refers to the “belief or assumption that cis people’s gender identities, expressions, and embodiments are more natural and legitimate than those of trans people” (Serano, 2016). In naturalizing one identity within a binary, the other is denaturalized and delegitimated through a process of power and control. And, because transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming identities are often lumped together under the trans “umbrella,” each group and community experiences delegitimization, albeit in different ways. Regardless, cissexism allows for the privileging of those who identify and/or present as cisgender, at least initially—transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals who “pass” as cisgender are never far from losing the privilege of safety and security since “passing” depends upon the perceiver and not the perceived.

What is most troubling about the idea that individuals must “pass” within a binary, though, is that the gender binary is seemingly so fragile that those who do not conform are viewed not only as unnatural and illegitimate, but also dangerous. Cisgender fragility triggers this view of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals and communities. Oaster (2019) describes cisgender fragility as “defensive behavior in response to encountering any gender-identity-based discomfort.” It emerges for those who do not recognize gender beyond a binary and furthermore outside of a sex/gender conflation (i.e., those who believe that only two sexes exist, and these are women/females and men/males). Cisgender fragility is a reaction to the perceived threat of having one’s ideals and values challenged. For instance, if one believes in and values the gender binary, then anybody who exists outside the binary or even challenges the binary through gender transition poses an ideological threat.

Those who become defensive about transgender existence often utilize language such as “tricked” or “not real” to suggest that there is only one truth about sex and gender, and this truth just happens to align with their own ideals, values, and experiences. What cisgender fragility does is to further privilege cisgender people by centering their narratives about feeling hurt or threatened when their transphobic and cissexist beliefs and behaviors are questioned/challenged.

Take the following scenario, for example:

Kay, a cisgender woman considers herself open-minded, yet shares with her transgender colleague that gender-affirming surgery is “going too far.” When challenged by her colleague, Kay feels embarrassed and begins crying as she retreats to her office. She then emails the boss, letting her know that her colleague made her cry and created a negative workplace culture.

In this scenario, Kay neither considers the impact of her words on her colleague nor the workplace culture. She then utilizes her embarrassment to try and silence her colleague. The fragility in this scenario is evident by Kay’s inability to see how she utilizes her cisgender privilege to both create an unsafe working environment and silence gender-diverse individuals. Similar to and often at work with white fragility, cisgender fragility serves as a tool for further disempowering the marginalized and stigmatized.