Use of "cis"

[notwokeup]

What are your opinions on the use of cis? I have to say I hate it. It feels like an unnecessary prefix to me.

However, a young trans woman has just started at my work, and insists on referring to cis women (rarely cis men). Because of the work, I am loathe to say anything as I know that I would be in trouble. I have no problem using their preferred pronouns she/her, and she is a lovely person, although young (20) and quite naive. Yet I cringe every time she refers to women as cis.

I don't really think you can get in trouble for insisting she does not refer to you as cis; I say that as someone who works somewhere that has really drunk the kool-aid and is used to watching what they say.

I just wouldn't bother with a direct argument about the general references to cis-women if you think it's really going to cause problems. Just make an excuse and walk off each time she uses the term.

Although I do like this suggestion: I'd take her conspiratorially to one side and checking that no-one else is looking, whisper in her ear that you are not actually cis. She'll be pissed off about how well you pass.

sometimes you want to refer to not--trans women You know it's strange there isn't a word for this already.

Just out woke her.

I certainly don't want an argument with her, but it feels like I'm the one compromising. What makes it worse is she really, really doesn't pass at all.

Can you out-woke them by mentioning you already announced this/your pronouns so "you must have forgotten, but can you try and remember in future?" Cheerful tone of voice and "ok cheers" and brisk walk away should do it.

I'm sure they wouldn't want to commit literal violence on you....

No one can deny your lived experience.

Ask if she is assuming the other women’s identities they could all be non binaries

That is totally bigoted

I agree with (in a non argumentative way) mentioning you prefer woman to cis woman thanks.

When does this even come up? I just cant imagine someone saying "I served a cis woman at work today and she wants to know what time we close"?

I would just tell her in a non confrontational way when she uses it next time in front of you. Something along the lines of " oh sorry, but just want to draw your attention to the use of cis woman, I prefer not to be gender labelled as such. Woman is just fine. Thanks"

Out woke the woke.

I’d take it up with HR. FTS.

"Sorry, but I'd be really grateful if you could stop misgendering me - cis is not part of my pronouns"

That's exactly it - I feel as if she's misgendering me!

I'm not keen but in my little world it's never been an issue.

I'm slightly struggling to picture a work environment where someone needs to repeatedly specify whether someone is born female or not. There are a few environments where I could see it as an issue - women's aid type environments, medical aread that conduct things like smear tests.

Is it necessary to be categorising or is gender highlighting due to the new member of staffs personal life journey changing the work language and focus?

Staff have always referred to her as her. She has been the only one to use the term cis. Some staff had to have it explained to them!

The point of the term "cis" is to say that transwomen are 2 equal types of women - transwomen and ciswomen. Both of them are supposed to get their womanhood from identifying as women.

That is incoherent, as it amounts to "a woman is anyone who identifies as a woman" which is circular.

The alternative is that there are woman, and transwomen, with woman getting their womanhood from biology, and transwomen piggybacking on that and getting their idea of womanhood from the woman. In other words, they are honorary woman.

I object to "cis" because it is part of an incoherent ideology (gender identity) which is doing great harm to women and children.

I would use it in the context of a discussion about trans rights to clarify my view point as that of a cis woman purely because it is more elegant than saying "a woman who was born one". Other than that I don't feel the need to label trans women "trans women" just women. So ask her how she would feel if you referred to her as a "trans woman" instead of just a "woman" and have her clarify why she feels the need to "cis" everyone.

Cis doesn't bother me but if it did I would tell her that it did. She may not realise she's upset you. Be polite and I'm sure she will be fine with it. Then you should both get on with your job.

The term is offensive to me not only because it’s unnecessary, but also because it implies that I am comfortable in the gender stereotype imposed upon me. I am not and have battled my whole life as a feminist to challenge gendered roles and sex-based stereotypes.

Wondering why cis don’t bother eyesneverclosing

You like being a sub set of women ?

I hate this unnecessary pronoun. Say that she is misgendering you

And mum under moon

Cis has no place in language ffs what’s wrong with you

We gonna start calling our wee girls cis girls cos that is where you are going with the acceptance of this shite

Sorry prefix not pronoun - no more wine for me 🙈🤷🏼‍♀️

"I don't identify as cis" should be enough.

The creep of this term is insidious.

I also am confused

As in real life

If we mustn't assume anyone's gender and the trappings of gender (sex role) are irrelevant eg wearing a dress, and sex is irrelevant

How the fuck does your colleague know that the people they are talking about a cis?

If given a breakdown, it's obvious most people are agender, non binary etc in genderist speak

All trans people seem to assume others are cis

WHY????????????????

All trans people seem to assume others are cis

WHY????????????????

Because if we were all non-binary they wouldn't be special any more.