cisgender (or simply cis) is the term used to designate individuals who identify with the gender (male or female) assigned to them at birth. Already transgender (or simply trans) is the term referring to individuals who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth.
Transgenderism is characterized by the desire to belong and be treated by another gender, different from the one given to it by society. In cisgenderedness, on the other hand, there is no such conflict between the individual's feeling in relation to his own gender and the expectations of society.
For example: society expects people who are born with the male biological sex to adopt a certain way of being and acting that is considered masculine.
O cisgender man (or cis man) is the one who generally lives up to these expectations of masculinity. Among these expectations are wearing clothes considered masculine, taking attitudes considered masculine, playing sports considered male, enjoying movies and TV programs aimed at male audiences. etc.
Likewise, the cisgender woman (or cis woman) is the person who, born with the female biological sex, identifies with the set of attributes traditionally considered feminine.
Transgender people, on the contrary, cannot assume the social gender role assigned to them at birth. He doubts the social role imposed on him, identifying himself with another gender.
O transgender man (or trans man) is the individual who was born with the female biological sex, but does not identify with the “female way of being” and with the elements that belong to this universe. Among these elements of femininity, there are ways of speaking, ways of dressing, tastes, behaviors, etc.
already the transgender woman (or trans woman) is the individual who, having been born with the biological male sex and despite expectations social roles related to the male sex, does not identify with the social role assigned to him by the society.
The definition of transgender is the object of constant debate between specialists and people involved in social movements. One of the most used definitions sees this term as a word "umbrella", which houses the entire variety of trans experiences, that is, people who do not identify with their social role designated.
Within that "umbrella" is the term transsexual, which designates people who intend to or have already made a social transition. This social transition, in some cases, can occur through hormonal treatments or surgical procedures.
See too:
- What is it to be transgender?
- Definition of cisgender
- gender identity
- meaning of non-binary
- meaning of gender
- meaning of transsexual
- meaning of pansexual