Gender identity is a deeply personal and internal sense of self, existing along a broad and diverse spectrum. Within this spectrum, the term “cis male” describes a specific gender identity. Understanding what it means to be a cis male contributes to a more nuanced conversation about gender.
Understanding Cis Male
A cis male is an individual whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth. The prefix “cis-” originates from Latin, meaning “on this side of” or “on the same side as,” directly contrasting with “trans-,” which means “across from” or “on the other side of.”
Sex assigned at birth typically refers to biological characteristics observed at birth, such as genitalia, chromosomes, and hormones. For instance, an individual assigned male at birth usually has XY chromosomes and male reproductive organs. Gender identity, however, is an internal feeling of being a man, a woman, both, neither, or somewhere else along the gender spectrum, independent of these biological markers.
For a cis male, the external assignment of “male” at birth and their internal experience of being a man are congruent. This alignment distinguishes cis males from transgender individuals, whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. While assigned sex is typically binary (male or female), gender identity is understood as a broader spectrum.
The Purpose and Context of the Term
The term “cis male” emerged to bring clarity, precision, and inclusivity to discussions about gender identity. Its development created a parallel linguistic structure to “transgender,” which helps to normalize diverse gender experiences. Before this term, individuals whose gender identity aligned with their assigned sex at birth were often simply referred to as “men,” implying this experience was the default or only way to be a man.
By using “cis male,” language acknowledges that there are various gender identities and that no single experience is more “normal” than another. This helps prevent the “othering” of transgender individuals, ensuring they are not seen as deviations from a presumed norm. The term was coined in 1994, gained wider academic and public use, and was added to dictionaries like the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015.
The concept also highlights “cisnormativity,” the societal assumption that everyone is cisgender. This assumption can lead to advantages for cisgender individuals, often referred to as cisgender privilege, where they are less likely to face discrimination or violence based on their gender identity compared to transgender individuals. The term serves as a tool for a more equitable and respectful discourse on gender, enabling specific discussions about gender identity experiences without implicitly elevating one over others.