We Need To Talk About Cis Privilege

Privilege is defined as the right by a particular race, gender, or social class to access societal advantages inaccessible to others. Privilege comes in many ways: because you are white, or male, or thin, or stereotypically attractive, or able-bodied. Cisgender is an adjective which describes those who identify with their assigned sex at birth. When we're born, we are given a label of female or male based on the way we look. Those who feel a disconnect between assigned gender and true identity are transgender. Those who do not feel a disconnect are cisgender.

If you're active in queer spaces, you've likely noticed that trans people are under attack. If you're a person who is not trans, a privilege exists in the form of ignorance. When trans or non-binary people are attacked or killed for their gender identities, you can look the other way, pretending that nothing has happened - because it doesn't affect you personally. This is just one example of cisgender privilege, but there are many more.

Here are forty more ways that being cisgender brings privilege.

01. Using public restrooms or facilities without the fear of harassment, abuse, or arrest.

02. Your validity as a man or woman is not defined by how well you "pass" or how many surgeries you've had.

03. Strangers use the name you provide, rarely feeling the need to demand your real name. You are less likely to face opposition when asking that your name be used in programs, certificates, or classrooms.

04. You can assume that everyone you encounter will understand your identity without questioning or needing it explained to them. You can assume that people will accept your identity without thinking you are confused or mentally ill.

05. You possess the ability to purchase clothing, shoes, and accessories that match your identity without being harassed, mocked, or refused service.

06. You will never experience being shunned by family and friends on the basis of your gender identity.

07. Your gender identity will never cause you to fight medical professionals and educators for your right to life-saving medications.

08. In medical settings, you do not have to continuously correct medical personnel due to differences between your medical records and your true identity. When visiting doctors' offices, you do not have to fear facing violence or interrogation based on your gender or experiences. In addition to this, you are not likely to be denied medications or care by medical personnel who do not agree with your identity.

09. Your gender identity is not, and never was, considered a disorder or a trend.

10. Your right to exist as yourself is not constantly debated in media and politics. People of your gender will not be labelled as "controversial" or be opposed by others.

11. There's no need or expectation by new romantic partners for you to disclose intimate details about your body. When starting a new romantic relationship, you are not likely to be accused of "trapping" or "lying" because of your gender.

12. You can expect that your pronouns and identity will be respected without protest.

13. You are not accused of being a danger to children on the basis of your identity and life experience.

14. If religious, your gender identity alone is not grounds for excommunication and/or harassment from a religious community.

15. You are less likely to be the victim of a hate crime, physical violence, police brutality, or sexual assault on the basis on your gender identity.

16. You won't be asked intrusive personal questions by strangers, such as what genitals you have or what surgeries you have received or plan on receiving.

17. You are not likely to pretend to be the opposite sex in places such as job interviews.

18. You are not often denied access to housing, bathrooms, or public places because of your gender identity. You are not likely to be subject to discrimination because your gender identity doesn't align with the gender you were assigned.

19. In romantic relationships, you partners are less likely to feel the need to hide your identity in order to avoid discrimination.

20. You were never told you were "too young" to understand your identity, or that your gender was made up or inauthentic.

21. You can be almost certain that visiting public restrooms will not result in violence from others due to accusations of your "not belonging".

22. During conversations with strangers, you have little worry that the pitch of your voice may "out" and endanger you. You are likely able to have a conversation with someone without worrying that your voice does not "match" your perceived gender.

23. During outings, you are not likely to feel anxious due to gender dysphoria. You are not likely to feel anxious about being questioned, stared at, mocked, or harassed by strangers on the basis of your gender identity.

24. You are not likely to have come across religious communities or organizations dedicated to harm or target people of your gender.

25. You can see gender representation in every book, movie, and TV show that you find. Characters of your gender do not exist in media only to be laughed at, exploited, or victimized. They have storylines and characterization that is more than just gender identity. People of your gender will be written as protagonists, heroes, and love interests rather than just side or background characters.

26. You are less likely to face threats and discrimination on a daily basis due to your gender identity.

27. You are not likely to feel the need to over-exaggerate your gender expression in order to be accepted by others, or to go through society without drawing attention to yourself.

28. There is not and has never been any educational curriculum dedicated to denying your existence and identity. You were not likely to hide your identity in school to prevent bullying or expulsion.

29. When starting a new job, you are able to fill out paperwork without the fear that inconsistencies between your legal gender marker and your presentation will endanger you at work. You are less likely to be fired or targeted based on your gender identity or presentation.

30. Athletes of your gender are unlikely to be banned from competing on sports teams due to their gender identity. They can compete without facing backlash or debate in media over their right to play on a specific team.

31. Your gender is listed on all legal/government forms.

32. You have never been subjected to therapy or prayer in the hopes of "correcting" your gender. As a child or teenager, you did not have to fear abandonment or homelessness due to your guardians "disagreeing" with your gender identity.

33. You are not likely to have to justify your right to exist as your gender to complete strangers.

34. Books and movies about people of your gender will never be banned or labelled as inappropriate.

35. You will never be impacted by laws that oppose your right to simply exist because of your gender identity.

36. If you are attacked or murdered, there will be no moral panic defence to justify the legality of your attacker's actions. Instead of your death being debated in the media, your killer will be punished rightfully and harshly.

37. If you became famous, it would not be because of the debate behind your gender identity. If you were interviewed on television, you would likely not be questioned about medical history (i.e: surgeries), your body parts, or your trauma.

38. You are not likely to be forced to visit a mental health professional in order to prove your need for medical care or assistance.

39. You are not likely to be excluded from spaces intended for people of your gender.

40. You can go through your day-to-day life without having to think about your gender at all.

Most people with privilege don't truly understand the advantages they have in society - and it's understandable that after having access to specific things, we begin to take them for granted. That's not to say, of course, that a person with advantages in one area cannot have disadvantages in another. However, in order to fully support and acknowledge the struggles of marginalized groups, we must take the time to understand the ways in which privilege affects us.