30+ Examples of Cisgender Privilege

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8/6/13
30+ Examples of Cisgender Privilege — Everyday Feminism
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September 20, 2012 | by Sam Killermann
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Originally published on It’s Pronounced Metrosexual and cross-posted here with
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ABOUT EVERYDAY FEMINISM
Following is a list of cisgender identity privileges. If you’re not familiar with the
term, “cisgender” means having a biological sex that matches your gender identity
and expression, resulting in other people accurately perceiving your gender.
If you are cisgender, listed below are benefits that result from your alignment of
identity and perceived identity.
If you identify as cisgender, there’s a good chance you’ve never thought about
these things. Try and be more cognizant and you’ll start to realize how much work
we have to do in order to make things better for the transgender folks
who don’t have access to these privileges.
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If you’re unsure of what it means to be “transgender” you can read about it in
our gender identity guide.
Please comment below if you have any additions or revisions to make!
1. Use public restrooms without fear of verbal abuse, physical intimidation, or
arrest
2. Use public facilities such as gym locker rooms and store changing rooms
without stares, fear, or anxiety.
3. Strangers don’t assume they can ask you what your genitals look like and how
everydayfeminism.com/2012/09/30-examples-of-cisgender-privilege/
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you have sex.
4. Your validity as a man/woman/human is not based on how much surgery
you’ve had or how well you “pass” as non-transgender.
5. You have the ability to walk through the world and generally blend-in, not
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being constantly stared or gawked at, whispered about, pointed at, or laughed
at because of your gender expression.
6. You can access gender exclusive spaces such as the Michigan Womyn’s
Music Festival, Greek Life, or Take Back the Night and not be excluded due to
your trans status.
7. Strangers call you by the name you provide, and don’t ask what your “real
name” [birth name] is and then assume that they have a right to call you by
that name.
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8. You can reasonably assume that your ability to acquire a job, rent an
apartment, or secure a loan will not be denied on the basis of your gender
identity/expression.
9. You have the ability to flirt, engage in courtship, or form a relationship and not
fear that your biological status may be cause for rejection or attack, nor will it
cause your partner to question their sexual orientation.
10. If you end up in the emergency room, you do not have to worry that your
gender will keep you from receiving appropriate treatment, or that all of your
medical issues will be seen as a result of your gender.
11. Your identity is not considered a mental pathology (“gender identity disorder”
in the DSM IV) by the psychological and medical establishments.
12. You have the ability to not worry about being placed in a sex-segregated
detention center, holding facility, jail or prison that is incongruent with your
identity.
13. You have the ability to not be profiled on the street as a sex worker because
of your gender expression.
14. You are not required to undergo an extensive psychological evaluation in
order to receive basic medical care.
15. You do not have to defend you right to be a part of “Queer,” and gays and
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lesbians will not try to exclude you from “their” equal rights movement
because of your gender identity (or any equality movement, including
feminist rights).
16. If you are murdered (or have any crime committed against you), your gender
expression will not be used as a justification for your murder (“gay panic”) nor
as a reason to coddle the perpetrators.
17. You can easily find role models and mentors to emulate who share your
identity.
18. Hollywood accurately depicts people of your gender in films and television,
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and does not solely make your identity the focus of a dramatic storyline, or
the punchline for a joke.
19. Be able to assume that everyone you encounter will understand your identity,
and not think you’re confused, misled, or hell-bound when you reveal it to
them.
20. Being able to purchase clothes that match your gender identity without being
refused service/mocked by staff or questioned on your genitals.
21. Being able to purchase shoes that fit your gender expression without having
to order them in special sizes or asking someone to custom-make them.
22. No stranger checking your identification or drivers license will ever insult or
glare at you because your name or sex does not match the sex they believed
you to be based on your gender expression.
23. You can reasonably assume that you will not be denied services at a hospital,
bank, or other institution because the staff does not believe the gender
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marker on your ID card to match your gender identity.
24. Having your gender as an option on a form.
25. Being able to tick a box on a form without someone disagreeing, and telling
you not to lie. Yes, this happens.
26. Not fearing interactions with police officers due to your gender identity.
27. Being able to go to places with friends on a whim knowing there will be
bathrooms there you can use.
28. You don’t have to convince your parents of your true gender and/or have to
earn your parents’ and siblings’ love and respect all over again.
29. You don’t have to remind your extended family over and over to use proper
gender pronouns (e.g., after transitioning).
30. You don’t have to deal with old photographs that did not reflect who you truly
are.
31. Knowing that if you’re dating someone they aren’t just looking to satisfy a
curiosity or kink pertaining to your gender identity (e.g., the “novelty” of
having sex with a trans- person).
32. Being able to pretend that anatomy and gender are irrevocably entwined
when having the “boy parts and girl parts” talk with children, instead of
explaining the actual complexity of the issue (one “how-to” in the comments
below).
33. [leave a comment below with another example!]
After reading this list, please read and share our article about making a more
trans-friendly world and be part of the solution.
Thanks to BGSU’s Safe Zone Program for the beginnings of this list.
Sam Killermann is a Staff Writer for Everyday Feminism and the person behind It’s
Pronounced Metrosexual, a comedy show and blog focused on issues of identity,
stereotypes, and oppression. A social justice advocate and ally, Sam performs the
show at colleges around the country and writes for the site when he is at home in
Austin, TX. Follow on Twitter @Killermann.
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Comments
133 comments
Add a comment
Stephanie Edd ·
Top Commenter · Berkeley
One possible way to explain sex and gender identity to a six year old:
http://rangerbagel.com/2012/11/08/aunty-ranger-what-am-i-and-where-did-i-comefrom/
Reply ·
13 · Like · November 18, 2012 at 8:18pm
Jacqueline Brown · Cunning Linguistics
then again the person who wrote it is apparently friends with Riley Kilo, so
that kinda figures
Reply · Like · February 4 at 6:03am
Katrina Payne ·
subscribers
Top Commenter · Grand Wazoo at NIMH Labs · 124
Can we have a version without anatomical depictions of genitals?
This is a six year old here we are talking about explaining this to, not a
thirteen year old.
Reply ·
1 · Like · July 21 at 1:59pm
Holly Blunden · Australian National
Katrina Payne I don't understand how anatomy is inappropriate for a six-year
old? None of the images are by any means psychologically harmful for a child,
whereas teaching them that particular parts of their body are too shameful
and inappropriate to even see diagrams of is pretty bad for kids developing a
healthy attitude towards sex and their bodies. You wouldn't balk at 'heads,
shoulders, knees and toes', so hiding the existence of genitals from a child
sets a pretty obvious hypocrisy; they know they have genitals. They have seen
their own, letting them know everyone has them takes away both the mystery
and the shame...
Reply ·
View 14 more
Jennell Jaquays · Owner-Operator at Dragongirl Studio · 121 subscribers
Not having to explain your entire recent history every time you encounter someone from
your past.
Reply ·
Kathy Connors · University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
So, follow Mary Poppins lead she says "Let me make one point perfectly clear!
I never explain anything." You dont owe anyone your private bussiness.
Reply ·
29 · Like · November 19, 2012 at 7:22am
Anne Marie Tobias · Technical Support Engineer at Rent One Online
The "Jerry Springerizatoin" of transpeople has classed us as "Nonpesons" in
some social contexts and with certain classes of people. The same way a lot
of people would intrude into a popular actor's personal space and behave
completely inappropriately, because that person has developed a relationship
through their television. Some actors are very gracious with the socially inept.
Others guard their privacy jealously. Personally, I see every interaction as the
possibility of a becoming a learning experience for both of us.
Reply ·
5 · Like · March 29 at 10:56am
Katrina Payne ·
subscribers
Top Commenter · Grand Wazoo at NIMH Labs · 124
Anne Marie Tobias eh... not really the case on Jerry Springer anymore.
Transgender people on Jerry Springer are pretty much on par with the other
people on the show. Being shown as the decent person (or victim) going right
down to being the villain. My only issue is the crowd shouts at somebody
having a heterosexual relationship with a tranny "you is gay" as their main
response. Even if the girl passes really well.
But no... they are people... about as much as anybody else on Jerry Springer is
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But no... they are people... about as much as anybody else on Jerry Springer is
people.
Now... once we start having Transgender people showing up on Maury... you
have more of a point here.
Reply · Like · July 21 at 2:12pm
Katherine Mackenzie Bradford · 368 subscribers
Not having to worry that friends and/or family will reject you for your because of your
gender expression and how it makes them feel uncomfortable.
Not having to worry that you will be make homeless by your own parents because of your
gender expression.
Not having to explain to every single person you encounter about how misgendering or
using a wrong name can be very hurtful and insensitive.
Not having to worry that the wrong name, gender, or photograph will appear on legal
documents, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, or college degree.
Not having to worry that social services will remove your children from your custody
because of your gender expression and how that supposedly could impact their
upbringing in a negative way.
Reply ·
Christina Nicole Lang
These things are not "cisgender privileges." Labeling them is provocative, not
illuminating. The author probably thinks he's clever, but things like this are not helpful.
There's no good to come from telling nearly everyone in the world that they are lording
their privileges over a minority with gender issues.
Reply ·
Jeremy Remy Morrison ·
Top Commenter · BC
Not sure if the author thinks cisgender people are "lording" these privileges
over the minority, just acknowledging them as privileges as compared to
someone living transgender. They're just examples of things the majority of
us take for granted, probably not realizing that some people out there need to
uncomfortably navigate on a daily basis.
Reply ·
That may be true. However, it's more than likely that cisgender readers might
feel 'accused'. Pointing out someone's privilege over another isn't kindly.
Therefore, it's not the best way to build allies.
Reply ·
Jeremy Remy Morrison ·
Top Commenter · BC
Yeah, my experience shows that typical reactions to first learning about
things like white privilege or male privilege are hostility or denial on the part
of the privilegee - no surprise. But "they're not going to like hearing this" isn't
exactly a good reason to not explain the truth of a situation to someone,
especially if the unrecognized truth is what allows discrimination to continue.
Again, the author isn't saying this is how you should introduce transgender
discrimination to someone, nor does the article seem to be directed to
"making allies." Instead its aim seems to be awareness ("try and be more
cognizant"), and I don't think the author is being unkind about it in any way.
It's just another important aspect of a much larger subject, laid out in a fairly
objective manner. No reason to feel 'accused' - they're not blaming you or any
cisgendered person for these privileges or trying to make you feel bad for
having them. It's just hard to change things if people aren't aware of some of
the basics that contribute to the inertia against change.
Reply ·
View 16 more
Griffin Boyce
Filling out a form, only to have it "corrected" by a receptionist. The best part about this is
having to fill out a second form because it was tampered with by an idiot.
So far this has happened at a college and a doctor's office. Ugh.
Reply ·
Kyle McLenaghan
This article is counter-productive and just makes those who are transgender seem like
they have a big chip on their shoulder-- complainers. The author should realize that
anyone reading this is probably already on the side of increasing rights and protection
for transgender people.
"Cisgender" is NOT a word that should be used, unless you're in a clinic setting-- Like
saying "gestation period" instead of "pregnant" -- it's redundant and not helping the
movement- definitely working against it, especially with those not already in favor of civil
liberties.
The things listed here are NOT 'privileges' that I enjoy nor are they things that anyone
who is not trangender will EVER work at to change. Ever. Complaints about check-boxes,
shoes and perceptions of others mask the real issues here that we really can make a
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difference in, like being respected as people and protection from harm. This whole thing
seems accusatory and whiny. Sorry guys, gals, and everyone in between, I'm on your side
but this kind of article is working against your interests.
Reply ·
Alex Van Rossum · Hostess/Waitress at Country Cafe
Would you say the same thing about an article written about white privilege?
These are privileges whether you think they are are not. You don't have to
ENJOY privileges to have them. I don't enjoy that because I'm white, I'm more
likely to be hired than someone who is not, but that doesn't negate the fact
that it's a privilege.
If trans* people have chips on their shoulders (and really, they don't), it's
because they have every right to because there are people who will stand here
and tell them to stop complaining because their problems are not "real"
problems.
As a cis female, I don't find this article accusatory or whiny. I find it
completely valid and true.
What I do find whiny is when other cis people complain about being
"victimized" by trans* people.
Reply ·
Felix Fagulous · Free University of Berlin
I think it's really gross that cis people think they can police the language that
trans* people use to talk about their own stuggles and also to say what will
and won't help 'the movement' that we are apparently in. You are not on 'our
side' when you post crap like this.
Reply ·
34 · Like · December 8, 2012 at 2:50am
Jennifer Hughes ·
Top Commenter · Port Chester, New York
"Cisgender" is the opposite of transgender. That's it. It's not clinical and it's
certainly not "redundant."
Reply ·
19 · Like · February 3 at 11:07pm
View 8 more
Cyd Charisse Smith
Actually cisgender women can still encounter #10. Just sayin'
Reply ·
17 · Like · January 2 at 7:07am
Jenson V'Tar · Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Really? Are you sure? I'm not denying or arguing, I'm actually asking. Cis
women really have this kind of problem in 2013?
Reply ·
Stephanie Zierenberg
Yup. Try being treated for ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage in many states.
Reply ·
Nicole Fall · Baltimore, Maryland
Yes Jenson they do, as do people of color.
Reply ·
View 1 more
Ricki Liff ·
Top Commenter · Nogales, Arizona
I don't have the computer skills to debunk any of this stuff point by point, but women do
not have "cisgender privilege". That is a dumb phrase or word to start with kinda like "a
lot on my plate" or "at the end of the day". Anybody care to show why women do not has
"cisgender" privlege? I'll give you one to start. The pearl about never being being in a
relationship without ever fearing attack. Really?
Reply ·
Ricki Liff ·
Should be The pearl about being in a relationship without ever fearing attack
Reply · Like · January 2 at 7:21am
Ricki Liff ·
@ Bess. Exactly. Articles like this imply to the general public that women have
achieved full equality with men and that is total disinformation
Reply ·
Elizabeth Hungerford ·
Top Commenter
I mean, "#30:You don’t have to deal with old photographs that did not reflect
who you truly are."
WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?? A picture does not "reflect who you truly
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are"? Who are you, truly? And how does one become ENTITLED to an accurate
representation in every photo ever taken of them? Are bad pictures of me, or
pictures of my goth phase (for example), not REALLY "ME"? No. They different
incarnations of the SAME person. It's part of my history, part of my life, it is
not something I am ashamed of. The compulsion to hide your past is
unhealthy. If you change the way you look over time, THAT'S OK. Stop the
shame; **stop justifying and normalizing shame as part of the trans
experience.**
Reply ·
View 7 more
Interesting. People are still commenting.
I'm going to try and restate the problem with defining these things as "privileges." Picking
one at random, I'll choose the second since today is January second. I'll address
specifically, "Use public facilities such as gym locker rooms and store changing rooms
without stares, fear, or anxiety."
Using locker rooms and changing rooms without consequence is not a privilege. It's
normative. It's why the rooms were created in the first place.
A natal woman who walks into a woman's changing room or a natal man who walks into a
men's locker room is doing precisely and exactly what is expected. The sign says
"women" or "men" and most people go in accordance with their birth gender. It's normal.
It's expected. Negative behaviors in response to a transgender person using one of those
rooms is ... See More
Reply ·
Heather Louise Mackie
Very well said!!!
Reply ·
Ruben Nicholas Castillo
think bout it if you identify as cisgender though how mny times do you have
to stop before just walking into a locker room or bathroom and think which
one is it safer for me to go in? i got jumped for going into the girls bathroom
and jumped for trying to go into the males, its privilege because you dont
have to think bout that because you dont haveto worry about it being the last
time you go into a bathroom or lockerroom, its a privilege and its normative
to you because you have never had to think about it, thats why its important
to have articles like this so people realize what they have never had to
experience and hopefully try and do something to help those who are stuck
outside a bathroom or lockerroom cause they are overwhelmed with fear of
what will happen to them if they justwalk into their "designated" facilty.
Reply ·
Bet Cecill
seems to me that discrimination is wrong-on that we agree..also seems to me
that not being discriminated against is a privilege...I am not discriminated
against on the basis of my skin colour..to me that is a privilege not shared by
people of colour...nobody looks at me wierd when I take my clothes off in the
womens change room becaouse I'm very (apparently )obviously born
female..to me that is a privalege to not be discriminated against...and yes, it
is vital deal with discrimation
Reply ·
View 1 more
Rebecca Gelineau · Las Vegas, Nevada
I am cisgendered, so I know my experiences are significantly different to those of a trans*
individual, but I have really big feet. I wear the same size shoes as my brother, who is
about four inches taller than me. It is nearly impossible to find shoes in my size at most
stores, and most of the women's shoes that DO fit me are not good looking at all or are
poorly made or are very expensive. I've noticed for a very long time that my shoes are
usually located directly in front of men's work boots. I have never understood this and I
refuse to shop at any store that does this.
Reply ·
Sarah Zatkovich · University of Central Florida
what?
Reply ·
4 · Like · February 3 at 12:09am
Anne Marie Tobias · Technical Support Engineer at Rent One Online
And I'm a transwoman with relatively small feet. You just want to notice that
by accident of birth you experience what almost all transwomen experience...
you are the living proof that the shoe industry makes life for people outside a
very narrow range, very difficult. Taking us right back to expensive mail order
catalogs. I do however, have great sympathy for your inconvenience.
Reply ·
7 · Like · March 29 at 10:42am
Lucy Anacleto
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Anne Marie Tobias - you rock! Really! You show so much patience with the
process of learning for cis folk. Thanks for being awesome. xoxo
Reply ·
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30+ Examples of Cisgender Privilege

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