These terms includenonbinary,genderqueer, genderfluid,transgender, and more.
Thus, a spectrum of gender identities exist and are as diverse as each unique individual.
Instead, the term cisgenderand other terms to describe gender identityshould be used as adjectives.
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Instead, it’s best to ask.
What Is “Assigned Sex at Birth?”
Society has conventionally perceived gender and sex as a binary, with each sex correlating to one gender.
This result is that cisnormative standards are imposed on a much more diverse population.
You may also have never experiencedgender dysphoria.
Some may encounter personal experiences of oppression and marginalization associated with their gender.
Still, cisgender people have privilege on the axis of gender oppression.
Why Isn’t Biological Sex Straight-Forward?
This is an outdated and overly simplistic view of biological sex.
All of this changes the ways our bodies look and act as we grow over time.
Inclusive estimations project that as many as 1 in 100 people experience differences in sex development.
No single biological measurement can definitively place a person into just one of only two categories.
Instead, they identify with a binary gender that is traditionally associated with the sex they wereassignedat birth.
How Can Cisgender People Support the Trans Community?
Understand That Transphobia Is Systemic and Oppressive
Cisnormativity creates environments where persistent transphobia is rampant.
One especially violent example of transphobia is trans-exclusive radical feminists (or TERFS).
They do not view trans women as women and perceive trans masculine people as confused or misguided women.
For example, a nonbinary person’s appearance might seem in line with cisnormative standards.
Normalize Trans-Affirming Language
Cisgender people should also normalize trans-affirming language.
They should share their own pronouns, even when trans and nonbinary people are not knowingly present.
Some nonbinary people use she/her and he/him pronouns solely or alongside non-traditional pronouns.
For example, the more distinct experiences unique to those groups were required for differentiation in this article.
Choosing language that affirms and respects diverse identities does not negate or deny any cisgender experiences.
Instead, it builds a world that is safer and healthier for all people.
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October 25, 2018.
Kralick A.We finally understand that gender isnt binary.
Sex isnt, either.
November 13, 2018.
Richardson S.Sexing the X: How the X Became the Female Chromosome.Signs.
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2015;518(7539):288-291.
Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality.
