Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Work want me to use cis-gender language

36 replies

flyawaytrampoline · 24/03/2022 23:43

I work in healthcare and my employer is insisting I describe women as "cis-gender" to differentiate from transgender women. I don't want to but don't know how to make my Case in a respectful way. Thoughts?

OP posts:
Somanysocks · 25/03/2022 04:13

Just tell him you find that extremely offensive and cannot condone the use of c*s.

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/03/2022 01:25

How I put it is this. If trans women feel themselves to be the gender that doesn't correlate with their birth sex, then cis means I feel myself to be the gender correlated with my birth sex. I reject gender strictures so I am a women, but not cis and not trans. Cis means I participate in my own oppression, which I don't.

Technically I suppose I'm agender and therefore come under the umbrella but being old and boring, I don't make the grade.

I told a very woke young woman when she called me cis that I perform gender because it's easier but don't when I don't want to. She didn't especially know what to say.

DPotter · 25/03/2022 00:20

The more this goes on, the more I think that the term 'cis' has parallels with the derogatory N word used against people of colour in the USA. It's insulting and unnecessary, as there is a perfectly good, acceptable word to use, a word that has been in use for 100's of years, ie woman.

I'd say approach your trade union, but I'm not sure they get it either.

I would be personally very offended if I was referred to as 'cis' anything. I'm not I'm a human adult female, ie a woman

Riverboatcaptain · 25/03/2022 00:09

You could suggest that you would be offended being referred to as cis (if true) and would not wish to risk offending or confusing other women. And as the term “woman” is the predominant everyday language it seems unnecessary.

NumberTheory · 25/03/2022 00:05

I would point to the paper Fanny has posted and also argue that you have no idea if the women you are treating identify as female gender or not. It is not uncommon for women to be female and to not identify as trans but still not be at all comfortable with having a female (or any) gender identity foisted on them.

Whatsnewpussyhat · 25/03/2022 00:01

Tell them women and transwomen work fine.
Being forced to use 'cis' is forcing someone else's religion on you.

HirplesWithHaggis · 25/03/2022 00:00

How would you know if someone identifies as cisgender? Rude to assume.

FannyCann · 24/03/2022 23:57

I don't believe they can make you and if refuse. I'm NHS.
Print off this paper and quote it.

I've posted it in the hospital intranet and am passing it around.

Accuse them of cultural imperialism or improper use of privilege.

internal-journal.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2022.818856/full?fbclid=IwAR1GmMyg9yC58i3SargXSSpsw1NgaVoD6raB8cz40YuEgx9VxFTr5A4m4OQ

BlackeyedSusan · 24/03/2022 23:50

maya's ruling may help.

QueenofDestruction · 24/03/2022 23:48

Do the men at work have to do this too?

MaryAndHerNet · 24/03/2022 23:46

Check your contract.
It highly unlikely that they would have included anything about compelling your speech. Then email whomever and make it clear you consider this compelled speech and you will only comply under duress and if they continue you will seek outside legal advice.