What is Cisgender? Let's talk about it simply and politely!

Nowadays, we all hear new words being talked about on social media and TV, right? Sometimes we use these words even though we don't know exactly what they mean. Similarly, a word that has been ringing in our ears lately is "Cisgender." You may have heard this word before. So, what exactly is Cisgender? Is this a complicated topic? Not at all. Let's talk about this very simply and amicably today and clear up all the questions that are in our heads.

What does Cisgender simply mean?

Very simple. Cisgender means that your mind agrees with the biological sex you were assigned at birth.

Let's explain a little more. Imagine that when you were born, the doctors wrote "female" on your birth certificate. As you grow older, you also think and feel that you are a girl, or a woman. In that case, you are a cisgender woman .

Similarly, if you were born as "male" on your birth certificate, and as you grow up, you still think and feel like a boy or a man, then you are a cisgender man .

The majority of people in the world fall into the cisgender category. The Latin part of this word, "cis", means "on this side". The opposite word is "trans". It means "on the other side". In other words, we call people who identify with a gender identity that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth `Transgender`.

Are sex and gender two different things?

Yes! This is a point of confusion for many people. Many people think that "sex" and "gender" are the same thing. But these are two completely different concepts. Let's understand this difference clearly.

Gender Identity is how you see yourself from the inside, how you talk to yourself (he, she, they). Everyone's sex and gender identity do not match.

So who is Nonbinary?

``Nonbinary'' is a general term used for people whose gender identity does not fit into the traditional boxes of male or female. It can be somewhere in between, a combination of both, or an identity completely outside of either.

Some examples:

• Genderqueer: Their sexual identity can change frequently.
• Genderfluid: An identity that frequently shifts between male and female identities.
• Agender: People who do not identify with any gender identity (male, female, or other).
• Bigender: People who identify as both male and female at the same time or at different times.

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

This is another thing that confuses many people.

• Gender Identity: This is who you are . It means whether you identify as a man, a woman, or some other identity.
• Sexual Orientation: It's who you love . It's who you're sexually and emotionally attracted to.

For example, a transgender person (a person whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth) may be attracted to the opposite sex (straight), homosexual (gay/lesbian), or bisexual. These two concepts are completely independent.

Let's also learn about the condition called Intersex.

Some people think that biologically there are only two sexes, male and female. But it's actually more like a spectrum. ``Intersex`` is a condition in which a person is born with sex characteristics (chromosomes, hormones, or genitals) that do not exactly match those of a normal male or female body. This is not a gender identity, but a biological difference . If you want to know more about this, it is best to ask your doctor (doctor).

What is "Cisgender Privilege"?

This is a bit of a touchy subject. When I say "privilege," some might think that this means that cisgender people are superior to others. Not at all.

Cisgender Privilege is the privilege and privilege you naturally enjoy because your gender identity fits within the "normal" framework accepted by the majority of society. Cisgender people don't have to worry about the difficulties, questions, and discrimination that non-cisgender people face on a daily basis.

Let's look at some examples:

• You don't have to worry about someone looking at you strangely, asking questions, or harassing you when you go to use a public restroom.
• When you meet someone new, no one asks what your "real name" is.
• You don't have to worry about whether someone will use the correct pronoun (he/she) when talking about you.
• Others don't ask unnecessary personal questions about your body or the surgeries you've had.
• When you see a photo of yourself as a child, you won't have to explain to anyone, "Why aren't you the way you are now?"

While these things are normal for a cisgender person, for a transgender or nonbinary person, these are daily stresses that put them at greater risk of developing stress, depression, and other health problems.

How do we respect and support everyone?

As cisgender people, we can understand these differences and help create a more inclusive and respectful society. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Let's start with small things.

• Don't assume: Don't assume that everyone you meet is cisgender.
• Be respectful: Be respectful of how someone introduces themselves. Call them by their preferred name and pronoun. If you're not sure, there's nothing wrong with politely asking, "How would you like to be addressed?"
• Don't ask unnecessary questions: Avoid asking questions about someone's body, surgeries, or personal medical information. It's very personal.
• Be aware: By reading a little about these topics and becoming aware, you can prevent yourself from unknowingly reading something that could hurt someone's feelings.

Ultimately, we are all human. The most important thing is to respect each other's identities and act with kindness and understanding.

Cisgender Sinhala, Cisgender, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Transgender Sinhala, Sexuality and Sociality, Nonbinary Sinhala