This term is used for someone whose gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth or who conforms to the gender role society finds appropriate for their sex.
Individuals who identify with the historical categories of “man” and “woman,” now called “cisgender” individuals, are simply two options from a more diverse selection of possibilities.
It is pronounced ‘siss’ as in sister.
Important to mention is that this term is not necessarily indicative of biology, gender expression, sexuality/ sexual orientation, hormonal makeup, physical anatomy, or how one is perceived in daily life.
As an adjective, it refers to those ‘who identify with their sex assigned at birth’ and derives from the Latin word meaning ‘on the same side’.
Some might perceive it as an insult. For instance, in a discussion about trans issues, one would differentiate between women who are trans and women who are not by saying, trans women and cis women.
Additionally, cissexism describes the systemic prejudice in favor of cisgender people, e.g., the assumption of a therapist that the male-perceived client has a girlfriend.
See more resources
Transstudent. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://transstudent.org/about/definitions/
All Gender Access Toolkit. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.goodnightoutcampaign.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/toilets.pdf