There are so many ways to express your sexuality, and that’s something to truly celebrate. But it can get confusing and we should all strive to have a clear understanding of the various identities and what they mean.
“Cisgender” is a term that is often interchanged with “straight,” but they’re not a one-to-one exchange (more on that later). You may also hear “cishet” instead of cisgender, as well as “comphet” used in the same conversation. We’re here to save you some research and shed some light on all of these terms.
What does cis stand for?
This one is simple, so let’s get it out of the way first: “cis” (pronounced sis) is short for “cisgender.”
What does cisgender mean?
The gender identity conversation falls under the “T” in LGBT. Yes, it stands for trans, but while L (lesbian), G (gay), and B (bisexual) are tied to sexual identities, T (trans) refers to a gender identity. To break it down further, transgender refers to someone who identifies as a sex they were not assigned at birth, cisgender describes someone who choses to identify as the sex they were assigned at birth. Instead of thinking of these two identities as opposites, consider them complements. And don’t confuse them with gender identities—that’s a completely different realm.
If you’re looking for a specific definition, the Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) sets up a great answer to “what does cisgender mean?” “[Cis is a] term for someone who exclusively identifies as their sex assigned at birth. The term cisgender is not indicative of gender expression, sexual orientation, hormonal makeup, physical anatomy, or how one is perceived in daily life.”
Where did the term cisgender come from?
According to research from McGill University, specifically Science Communicator Jonathan Jarry, the prefix “cis” has roots that date back far earlier than the past couple of years. “The prefix “cis-” has thus made its way from Latin to geography—“cisalpine” meaning “on our side of the Alps”—from chemistry to chemotherapy—cisplatin being an anticancer drug whose ammine groups are on the same side of its platinum atom—from molecular biology to how we understand the complex reality of sex and gender,” the article, titled “The Word ‘Cisgender’ Has Scientific Roots,” shares.
The shortest of Latin lessons will have your light bulb going off. In Latin, cis means “on the same side as.” Trans, on the other hand, means “on the opposite side as” in Latin. It all comes down to the sex you were assigned at birth—which is often a split second decision based on obvious genitalia or sexual organs. Grammatically, make sure to leave a space between “cis” and the person it’s describing. It’s a descriptor and should not be added to the subject.
The term “cisgender” may seem unnecessary, but let’s take a moment to explore alternatives. “Normal,” “regular,” and “status quo” all insinuate that anything that strays can be considered abnormal or irregular. We all know that’s certainly untrue, as there are many different identities a person can embody.
What does “cishet” mean and how is it different than being straight?
Here’s where we start walking away from gender identities and over to sexual identities. Someone who identifies as straight, or heterosexual, finds themself attracted to members of the opposite sex. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community fall into this category—for example, a trans woman who dates men may identify as straight. But those in the LGBTQ+ community can’t identify as cishet. This term refers to someone who is both cisgender and heterosexual, meaning they identify as the same sex they were assigned at birth and they are attracted to members of the opposite sex.