30+ Examples of Cisgender Privilege

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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. 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!

Use public restrooms without fear of verbal abuse, physical intimidation, or arrest
Use public facilities such as gym locker rooms and store changing rooms without stares, fear, or anxiety.
Strangers don’t assume they can ask you what your genitals look like and how you have sex.
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.
You have the ability to walk through the world and generally blend-in, not being constantly stared or gawked at, whispered about, pointed at, or laughed at because of your gender expression.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your identity is not considered a mental pathology (“gender identity disorder” in the DSM IV) by the psychological and medical establishments.
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.
You have the ability to not be profiled on the street as a sex worker because of your gender expression.
You are not required to undergo an extensive psychological evaluation in order to receive basic medical care.
You do not have to defend you right to be a part of “Queer,” and gays and lesbians will not try to exclude you from “their” equal rights movement because of your gender identity (or any equality movement, including feminist rights).
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.
You can easily find role models and mentors to emulate who share your identity.
Hollywood accurately depicts people of your gender in films and television, and does not solely make your identity the focus of a dramatic storyline, or the punchline for a joke.
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.
Being able to purchase clothes that match your gender identity without being refused service/mocked by staff or questioned on your genitals.
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.
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.
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 marker on your ID card to match your gender identity.
Having your gender as an option on a form.
Being able to tick a box on a form without someone disagreeing, and telling you not to lie. Yes, this happens.
Not fearing interactions with police officers due to your gender identity.
Being able to go to places with friends on a whim knowing there will be bathrooms there you can use.
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.
You don’t have to remind your extended family over and over to use proper gender pronouns (e.g., after transitioning).
You don’t have to deal with old photographs that did not reflect who you truly are.
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).
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).
[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.

Tagged as: cisgender, gender, identity, list

Written by Samuel Killermann

Sam is a writer and performer who uses those skills as an ally to advance progress in the realms of LGBT equality and social justice. He tours the country speaking to college students about stereotypes, prejudice, and oppression, and writes for this site when he's at home in Austin, TX.

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Rufus Ulrik

Being able to purchase clothes that match your gender identity without being refused service/mocked by staff or questioned on your genitals

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for starting the additions, Rufus! Added your item to the list.

catherine

Being able to tick a box on a form without someone disagreeing, and telling you not to lie. (yes, this has happened to me.)

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

I don’t doubt that happened, but it’s unfortunate that it did/does. Thanks for sharing, Catherine!

Amos

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.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for sharing, Amos. I added to the list.

Amos

Cool!

Gigantic Insect

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.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Another great one. Thanks for sharing and for reading!
Pinknightstalker37

Great point but there are a few of us cisgender women who have this problem. I wear a size 11/12 and have had many shoe salespeople tell me that I should “shop at the drag stores”

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Guest

I don’t think it’s just the gay and lesbian equality movement that can be exclusive. I’m sure there are parts of feminism that can, and do, exclude transgender individuals (intentionally or not). And, there are tensions in the fight for racial equality where transgender individuals are marginalized, and are more or less asked to put that part of their identity aside in favor of fighting only for racial equality. This is an expansion of #16, which I suppose would be boiled down to, “Being able to be a part of an equality movement without fear of marginalization.”

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Absolutely. A great clarification.

Jolteon11

I would like to see this as “I won’t be turned away because of my gender” or something similar, since people of color, with disabilities, etc. are often forgotten in pretty much any equality movement that isn’t explicitly for them – I am thinking especially of some (most, in my limited experience) “radical feminists,” whom I’ve seen unspokenly define women (rather, the group of women they care for) as white, higher class, educated, able-bodied, cis, etc., though of course this applies to all movements.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

What do you think about the revision I just made? And You’re completely right. It’s a wacky world we live in when targeted groups target each other.

Dennis L.

I think it’s normal and generally unintentional (emphasis on generally) when a targeted group marginalizes other groups within their organization… for most i think it’s a situation of competing interests…so they marginalize in order to push their specific agenda, not so much to lack inclusiveness…i’m not saying it’s right, just thought i’d try to bring some perspective….sorry about the rant

Guest

There is a very vocal and vicious RadFem bloc that is extremely and violently transphobic. Not all feminists (even ones with radical leanings) identify with them, but they are certainly out there, especially within the WBW (womyn born womyn) movement.

Carolyn in Baltimore

I think RadFem is different than the radical feminist community I grew up in. However there are times I need woman-space. I was mixed on trans exclusion till last year I went to a gathering that was 50/50 straight /gay and one genderqueer person came. And it was very distracting and uncomfortable for many of the women who were there for safe space and workshops pertaining to womens’ lives. And I can say it was especially some of the straight women who voiced their uncomfortableness.
I don’t think that trans people understand that women who grow up socialized as women have a reasonable ingrained mistrust of men. And often people socialized as male do not have a feminist perspective and act on their privilege.
Yes, I think there is an extreme group of feminists. But all women occasionally need womanspace, and I am one. I need a fix every few years it seems.
And yes, there are also transpeople who don’t understand how the patriarchy harms us all and who want to claim space that born women sometimes need.
I think we should always honor someone’s gender identity. But as a white person I would not go uninvited to a space made for black political activism or healing,

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HORZNLCXKLQNOUVCTRL2YPLFTA N

I don’t understand why “born women sometimes need” space more than trans women or genderqueer people. I don’t understand why, except for the transphobia.
There are lots of “born” women who don’t understand how the patriarchy harms us all. There are a lot of women who I don’t need to hang out with.
I don’t see how excluding trans women from women’s space is honoring their gender identity. Kinda the opposite, n’est pas?
Women are really diverse. Trans women are part of that diversity.

Bunny in Rochester

understanding is not a prerequisite for respect.

I do not understand someone thinking/believing they are trans but I will respect it and not deny them.

You have to understand my need for space with women who are completely interpreted as women from birth in order to respect it and not deny me.
Bunny in Rochester

oops! That last sentence should read:

You DO NOT have to understand my need for space with women who are completely interpreted as women from birth in order to respect it and not deny me.
guest

who is giving birth to WOMEN?

you do not know anyone’s story or how they have or have not been socialized.

what you’re spouting is transphobic and cissexist. I can guarantee that if a woman who happened to be trans came to a “woman-only” space, gave no mention of her trans status, you’d find that you have many of the same experiences.
the_ether

Oh hey, another privilege: I can enter space designated for my gender and not have people accuse me of violating their space or disrespecting their needs

Gwydderig Jinks

“I think we should always honor someone’s gender identity. But as a white person I would not go uninvited to a space made for black political activism or healing,”Are you serious? You do realise by making that analogy that you just basically insinuated that trans women aren’t actually women at all. In fact, throughout your entire comment you seem to be conflating trans women with men. You say that you need “womanspace”? Trans women are women. They get to have this space as well, they are no less woman than you. Please stop this. It’s insulting and dangerous. Go back to school and educate yourself. You can come back and apologise when you’ve learned to be respectful enough to actually “Honour” people’s gender identities.
http://twitter.com/widdershins_cat Katie B

There is a serious problem in your analysis: As a cissexual person, YOU ARE THE WHITE PERSON IN THIS ANALYSIS.

You cannot – you CAN NOT – “analyze” privilege between cis people and trans people if you put trans people in the “privileged group that we need space from” category.

Doing so is OPPRESSIVE, and you are being oppressive by thoughtlessly, heedlessly continuing that vicious meme.

GendersNOTachoice

It’s called make the choice to be the gender you were created!!! If you have a problem with that get therapy for a REAL therapist that will help you embrace who you are and not who you want to be! Grow up people!!!

Rufus Ulrik

¬¬ Are you serious buddy? I can’t even tell what you’re saying.
Mar

…Why are you even on this website,then? Trying to convert the rest of us?

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

This thought pops into my head on a daily basis as I’m combing through comments. My favorite line was when someone used the phrase “shoving this stuff down my throat” in a comment they wrote on my website.

Amos

This person might be having trouble understanding that biological sex and gender cannot be collapsed together so neatly for some people…?
http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

You’re absolutely right about one thing: gender is not a choice. Which is why it’s odd that you then say “make the choice,” but I’ll overlook that.

This website is all about embracing who you are. I’m happy you agree! It’s tough when people don’t understand that and try to force everyone in the entire world (that’s a lot of people) into one of two options (that’s not a lot of options) for how they are going to identify themselves and be perceived and interacted with by others (that’s a lot of important stuff).

But thanks for the support. And the therapist point is a great one. It’s amazing how stigmatizing going to a therapist is, when in reality it’s great advice for everyone. Everyone.

Everyone.

Luna

Traveling from point A to point B on public transit, and never wondering if you are going to make it.
guest

for 12- another example of segregated housing would be college dorms. also, I think this one could be expanded- there’s both the experience of forced sex-segregated living quarters (ie prisons, jails, detention centers) and sex-segregated housing that isn’t forced but is often exclusive (ie dorms, housing for business conferences or retreats)
SireH

*As my gender, being able to travel to much of the world.
*As my gender, being accepted by religious people as normal.
*As my gender, being accepted by my family as normal.
*Feeling comfortable around police ever.
*Being able to be ignorant about the politics of gender around the world!
*As my gender, getting to go places with friends on a whim, because there will be bathrooms there for me to use.
*As my gender, buying a house or paying for college unconcerned whether it means I will or will not have the money to get surgery so I can finally possess my body.
*As my gender, assuming only mommies get pregnant and only daddies impregnate.

SireH

Oh, and I forgot the one that the picture at the top of this page made me cringe about.
*I get to wear a swimsuit and go swimming.

Blu_bun

Never fearing of being removed from the military for being your “proper” gender expression.
http://quiltingqueer.tumblr.com/ doughts

I think having a female gender identity can be the punch line of jokes, and women can be under represented.
I still agree, no doubt of that. It’s easier to find female role models in media than transgender ones.
I would add you don’t have to go through massive amounts of hassle to get important paperwork to match your gender identity.
You can find a large variety of books with characters that have your gender identity.
http://twitter.com/aelphabawest aelphabawest

I think just about all of these are very though provoking and a good list. My only bone to pick is this one: “You do not have to defend you right to be a part of “Queer,” and gays and lesbians will not try to exclude you from the equal rights movement.”

As someone who has been told I’m cisgender, I frequently have to defend my right to be a part of “Queer.” Gender, to me, is a performance. Presently I’m performing female and I happen to have lady bits. Previously I have been more obviously androgynous/genderqueer (though the lady bits are more or less the same). Who knows what next year will bring. But being sexually fluid and presently femme-presenting means I have to defend every inch of Queerness in me.

All the rest of that though, good job.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

That’s a fair bone to pick, and I appreciate your sharing it. Do you self-ID as cisgender? Because from what I’m reading, I would guess you don’t, but I’m unclear.

AmyS

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.

You don’t have to remind your extended family over and over again that you’ve transitioned and to please use the proper gender pronouns.

You don’t have to deal with old photographs that did not reflect who you truly are.
Tan

Having your gender as an option on a form, period.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

I had to read my list four times to believe I didn’t include that. Wow. Haha – Thanks. Goodness gracious.

Jpan18

I I would love to read a list of 20 benefits of being transgendered!

#1. Not taking my gender for granted. I’ve had to work to become the man I am today and set very clear intentions to love myself. I’ve built a stronger relationship with myself because of my gender

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

If you want to write one, I’d love to post it. I could probably come up with a few more, but I don’t think I could pull 20 together. Email me if you want to chat about this.

http://twitter.com/sophie_448 sophie_448

This is a good article to get people started thinking about cis privilege. Wanted to point out something in the intro, though.

“ the list below are all of the benefits that result from your alignment of identity and perceived idenity”

This makes it sound like the list is comprehensive, which I know you don’t think since you’re asking people to add to the list. But I wouldn’t want someone reading about gender privilege for the first time to think that these are the only ways in which that privilege operates.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Ah! Silly mistake. Fixed. Thanks!

Mustlovechain

Able to have sex and not worry if you’re just a kink.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Can you elaborate a bit more? Do you mean satisfying someone else’s kink?

Will Bishop

I’ll second this one… Like, not knowing if the person you’re dating (if you’re lucky enough that they don’t lose interest when they find out you’re trans!) is still seeing you as a person who’s a potential long-term partner, or just some sexual novelty that’ll be a fun experience until they get bored with it or find someone else to have a real, “normal” relationship with.

Not necessarily exactly what the earlier commenter meant, but it’s the same general principle of wondering if they see you as a person, or just a sex object. Trans people aren’t the only ones with this problem, but it’s definitely a big one.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for clarifying that Will. That’s what I was suspecting the original commenter meant, but I was trying not to put words in anyone’s mouth. I’ll add it to the list. Check out what I write and let me know if it needs to be revised.

TS

I would change #17 from “if you are murdered” to “if any crime is committed against you”. I have a feeling people would use gender expression to justify anything from assault to theft due to “gay panic”.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Noted. Great point.

Zeraph

Nice article. I created the graphic that you are using. It’s from my blog, The Alchemist’s Closet. Please feel free to continue using this graphic. I have also compiled a list of cisgender privileges, adapated from the T-Vox wiki, which is found here: http://alchemistsclosetarticles.blogspot.com/2008/11/examining-cisgender-privilege.html. Thanks,
-Zeraph

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for creating it, and for giving me the okay, Zeraph. I found it through a cached google search several months ago, and couldn’t locate the creator to attribute it. All set now

Ebernard40

In regards to No. 25, I’m cis and I’ve never felt comfortable around police.

But that’s not because of my identity, just because Cali police are monsters.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Fair point. I clarified. Think the revision helps?

Amanda

-Being able to be pregnant and feel aligned in my female body (not having conflicting emotions as a transgendered male who is carrying a child).

-being able to be pregnant and not questioned about the merits of my choosing to have a child or the quality of life my child will have as a result of my being it’s parent
Wava

A very true list, but kind of depressing. How about another for 30 ways you can improve the problem?

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Awareness of a problem is the first step to improving it, so I guess we can check number 1 off that list

And I like this idea. Challenge accepted.
http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/04/list-of-ways-to-make-world-trans-friendl/

Here are my first five. I invite you to add to them, Wava. And thanks for the nudge!

http://twitter.com/Miss_Absynthe Aby

You might find the following interesting.

http://takesupspace.wordpress.com/cis-privilege-checklist/

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Very. I’m a huge fan of Peggy McIntosh’s work. Thanks for sharing.

Elizabeth

Thanks for sharing this list. I just happened upon it from a friend’s link. I’ve never even heard of the term cisgender before but I guess that is what I am – that and straight. I’ve always tried to be supportive and understanding of any transgendered people I know but I never really “got” it or put much energy into “getting” the issues. Your list helped me understand better that it’s not mine to “get” and that the issues are way more complex and all-consuming than I ever imagined. I think this will help me be a better, more compassionate supporter and friend. Thank you.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Elizabeth, based on what I’m reading here, I would bet you are already a pretty amazing friend to have. Thanks for reading, and for the comment. I hope you find my other articles as helpful.
Judahsleep

What Samuel said, Elizabeth! The world needs more folks like yourself in it.

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Krilea

Far too many of these hit home. And the most hurtful is being excluded by the gender you identify with because you don’t have a………..

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

I’m sorry to hear that, Krilea. But I’ve found comfort in how much traffic this article is getting (>1000 new visitors a day). People care. Hopefully this list will be irrelevant before we are.

Winter

Awesome! I’d add to the one about having your ID checked.

“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 marker on your ID card to match your gender identity.”

I have fortuantely never been denied medical services, but bank tellers have refused to let me access my bank account for this reason.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for sharing. That’s a solid revision, worthy of its own point, I think.

Jules

If you are the victim of sexual assault, you do not have to convince the police that you did not encourage the attacker in some way, nor do you have to be treated like a sexual pervert who “had it coming.”

http://profile.yahoo.com/G56DRM6X3K733IRU7QXQJEIUVA C

seriously? cis women who get raped are often viewed as “asking for it”. see: that chick mike tyson raped (“shouldn’t have gone into his hotel room”) and more recently the woman who several NYPD officers ran train on while she was drunk to the point of incapacitation (“she was drunk, she had it coming”).

ecr

This happens to cis women, but I think it’s a little different, because
you’ll find lots of people who believe that “virtuous women” (and yes, I do want to throw up about this) should be
protected, but there’s no cultural idea that transgender people should
be similarly protected from violence.

There are a few hairsplitting quibbles I could make in this list, but
the larger picture is still true – there are a TON of things I take for
granted which are difficult or impossible to navigate safely if you’re
trans.
http://profile.yahoo.com/PHJSIJZSOMO5XJZLGWJA52OMOU Megan

before you read the rest of this, understand i have been on both sides of it. I was raped repeatedly over the span of 4 months by my ex’s cousin and was asked by the SVU investigator if i loved him. I told her to fuck off and left. it took me another 2 months to work up the courage to go back and report it a second time before i got anywhere. yes but at least we can get the doctors to look at us or the SVU to do proper testing and not make fun of us for our gender. A lot of things probably go unreported because multi-gendered people just don’t want to deal with the crap. Its the whole “hes biologically male so he cant get raped” mentality. I had a male friend that was raped so hard they tore his insides and he had to have several surgeries over the course of MONTHS. but he didnt persue charges because the cops told him it wouldnt get anywhere because he was a gay male. they said the prosecution was pushing for the theory that “he liked it” because he was gay. You have cis-women that fake it because they hate the guy and regret doing something the next morning and the guy goes to jail. they dont get any crap because “well he went to jail so hes lying”. I think its all stupid and victims should be treated fairly no matter what biological sex they are or what they identify as. it is a crime and should be treated as one unconditionally unless proven innocent with the due diligence of the law.

MJ

Your comment on cis women is very flawed and offensive. I hope you are not implying that it’s common that cis women lie about being raped to cover up sexual encounters they regret. This is the kind of story people push especially law enforcement officers to not prosecute cases. Many cis women end up not filing charges against attackers because of these sorts of justification. My sister who is caucasian was raped by a black male who went to her high school. We live in a southern state. When she went to report the rape, they sat her alone in a room with two male officers who refused to believe her story and insisted she was lying about being raped because she didn’t want her family to know she “loves f-ing black guys”. She became pregnant from the rape and because she felt helpless, hid her pregnancy and received no care for her son medically until he was born. If you don’t like the horrible way trans people are treated when they are sexually assaulted, then you should refrain from those lines of toxic thinking for all people. It’s unjustifiable no matter who it’s applied to.

Bunny in Rochester

Jules, sadly that’s something pretty much every female under the age of 13 or over 65 has to face when reprint a sexual assault. It’s not about *cis-privelege*, it’s about how females are not valued or believed.

Kaliann

How about being able to pretend that anatomy and gender are irrevocably entwined when having the “Boy parts and Girl Parts” talk with children.

I am a ciswoman, but I took great care to explain the difference between anatomy and gender when explaining reproductive anatomy. It wasn’t that complicated. 1) I made sure to include the fact that there are bunches of in-betweens in both gender and anatomy. 2) I specifically addressed the fact that while gender and anatomy usually coincide, for many people they do not. “A girl could be born with a penis, but she knows she is a girl…”

http://ardithlaverne.com/ Ardith

+1. Awesome.
http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Ditto what Ardith said. Though I’m having a bit of trouble making it concise. Check out what I wrote and suggest some improvements, if you would

Kaliann

You did a great job! I think it’s something that is too easy for people (especially people who do not identify as LBGT) to forget about or sidestep because they are already uncomfortable with the conversation. Biology is my wheelhouse, though, so I am fortunate to not be uncomfortable with the subject.

I think when I was first explaining it, my big goal was to bring awareness and demystification to the anatomy/gender variabilities in the same conversation as talking about her own gear. As long as the child knows that there are lots of shades on both the physical and gender spectrum, she’s less likely to be shocked when she meets or hears someone mention a trans person. Hopefully, she will have a rational basis to question her peers if they are being transphobic, and she will be slightly less surprised than a child who is convinced that trans people are as impossible as unicorns. She also knows that I will patiently explain any confusions she has.

There was a moment where she said, “So a boy could be born and think he’s a girl?” which required the gentle correction, “No, but girl could be born with a penis, and her parents would probably think she was a boy.”

Jessicastonetroy

Thanks so much for this comment! This is something I want to make clear to my son as well!

http://twitter.com/ElizaAnderson1 Elizabeth Anderson

I’m sure a lot of these are true, but I can say that some of these do actually apply to men and women as well. Like the photographs one. I’m female and I was born female, but pre-high school photographs – to some extent, even high school photographs – no longer accurately represent who I am. And I think Hollywood definitely uses stereotypes about men and women as well as transgenders. I’m not saying these things don’t happen to transgenders or anything like that – I’m just saying, even as a male or female you can’t just assume all of these things will apply to you.

Guest

I agree with you completely. I was reading through the list and growing more and more confused as I encountered certain privileges that I don’t have. As someone who is cisgendered, I found myself wondering if other cisgender people do know and experience every one of these privileges, and if so, why don’t I? I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one who felt this way!

Michael

It’s not saying that you will experience every one of these privileges, but you have a much higher chance of it than any trans* person.
http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for the comment, and I’m happy you shared it. Which ones in particular? I’m really just curious

And having access to a privilege and accessing it are two different things. As a straight man, I have access to the privilege of marriage, but I’m not married. I’d be surprised if you identify as cisgender and don’t feel you have access to anything on the list. But if that’s the case, maybe we need to rethink a few of them.

Gabrielle

I am a cisgender woman and don’t feel I have some of these privileges you mentioned as well. For example, the Hollywood one. Most movies portray mere stereotypes, but there are some good ones, so I get your point. The one about shoes I had issue with as well. I wear a size women’s 13…nobody makes this size in any “normal” store. But thanks for the insight, most of these were good and helpful.

ken

You say men and women like trans men and trans women and genderqueer people aren’t human. Good job. Remind me to read comments when I feel dysphoric.
http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Hi Elizabeth,

For all of the points above, you can add a “…as a result of my gender identity.” The picture on especially. This point is merely meant to illustrate the difficulty of transitioning from your assigned-at-birth gender to the one you identify with, then reflecting back on those aspects of life where you were essentially faking one of the most defining aspects of your identity.

What are some other points you’re struggling with?
Marv

Elizabeth,
Those old pictures of you still represent the same gender. I have to hide my entire life before transition. Stories of things that happened to me can’t be talked about. Old family photos, old school photos, and old sports accomplishments all clearly are female. If I want to remain under the radar I can’t use, share, or talk about any of that time period in my life. Perhaps it isn’t so bad for me because I transitioned at 25, but some trans people don’t transition until well into adult hood. Could you imagine having to hide the first 40 or 50 years of your life. Just so you could hold a job, housing, or education?
While your old pictures may not accurately represent who you are now, they still represent who you were physically then.

HaydenStealthy

#33. Having people in places outside of a few select areas on the internet being able to understand your identity without the need for a long discussion that they probably won’t believe you at the end of.
#34: Having an average lifespan longer than 23.
#35: Not living in fear that somebody could murder you just for your gender identity.
#36: Not having a minor breakdown whenever you’re filling out an online form with radio buttons (so only one option) and the only gender options available are male and female.
#37: Not being abused, laughed at, and verbally slandered by people who don’t believe it’s possible to be non-binary.
Guest

I am a cisman, but these privileges are not lost on me. I actually just got the building where I work to adopt bathrooms without sex designations- it’s easier to make a difference on this front than people think.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for sharing, sir. A comment like this would be greatly appreciate on my latest article about how we can start making things a bit more trans-friendly:
http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/04/list-of-ways-to-make-world-trans-friendl/

Jackson

Yay passive-aggressiveness and reverse discrimination!!! Now I am supposed to apologize for the way I was born because others have a tougher time than me? Sorry, if transgender people are born that way, so am I, and its equally as prejudice to expect me to apologize for WHO I AM. I refuse to apologize for who I am. These are no privileged, this is the status-quo. A privilege is defined as:
a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most.
“Most” people are “cisgender” thus we are not privileged because nothing on your list is “beyond the advantages of most”. What would be a privilege is people like you being allowed to post discriminatory, reverse prejudicial, and judgmental essays such as this without and recourse simply because you are not the status-quo. If I were to write passive aggressive article such as this about to privileges of transgender people with obvious intentions to defame transgenders, I would be regarded as a bigot. But, when the roles are reversed, and the cisgenders are being discriminated against, its “ok”. That is privilege. Discrimination is the same all the way around. You should be ashamed of yourself.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Hi Jackson,

I never said you, or other people who identify as cisgender, should apologize for who you are. I would never ask that — you’re missing the point completely. You can be cis- and proud (I’m cis- and I’m happy to say it). In fact, I would even go so far as to suggest that most (if not all) of the people who have shared this post would share my sentiment.

And that’s an interesting definition of privilege you’re using, but I think I’ll rely on Webster’s version (the guy was, after all, the first to standardize the language): “a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; especially: such a right or immunity attached specifically to a position or an office.” Here, the “position” I am writing about is one of a societally-favored traditional gender role. And the benefits, advantages, and favors that come attached to that position are all listed above.

You get those! All those things are yours just because you happened to be born cis-, and you didn’t even know it. You should be thanking me for opening your eyes

If we followed your impression of what privilege and prejudice meant I’m afraid we’d live in quite the shitty country. At least, those who share my sentiment that America is far better off with immigrants, people of color, non-Christians, etc., knowing they can live here and be treated as people.

I’m also uncertain of what you mean by passive aggressive (I don’t think there’s anything passive about most of what I write) and reverse prejudicial. I hope that through my work we’ll be able to reverse prejudice, certainly, but if you’re using that term the same way I was using it when I was seventeen and heard about affirmative action scholarships that granted money specifically to people of color and I was pissed because I was White and thought it was unfair, I have two things to say: I was wrong, and, likely, so are you. I’d be happy to explain more.

Finally, if the roles were reversed, and it somehow got to the point were cisgender folks didn’t feel safe, couldn’t feel security in their jobs, and were treated like second-class citizens, then yes, that would be discrimination. Or, technically, it’d be oppression. It’d be what’s actually happening right now.

But — and humor me here — I don’t see that happening. I’m certainly not calling for that to happen. For one group to get rights we don’t need to take them away from someone else. That’s how children look at the world, Jackson — well, children and most of the front-runners in the GOP.

What’s your problem with transgender people being treated as people?

Severedyarg

Gosh you’re smart. . . and patient. I sure do wish I had that kind of patience sometimes.

Patrick

Actually… very basic statistics says that “MOST” people are gender variant to some degree.

There are additional definitions of privilege. Including “A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to one person or group of people.”

That is ABSOLUTELY accurate.

And pointing out things that cis people take for granted and trans people are almost universally aware of? That’s hardly discrimination. But nice try, and hey, thanks for playing!

Michael

Being able to have a one night stand without fearing that the response to your body will be violence.

Bunny in Rochester

yeah well … sadly that’s something ALL women have to worry about.
no *privelege* there!

radbadriot

this is pretty de-railing, obviously the poster michael meant fearing the response to your body being trans will be violence. cisgender people, especially women have concerns but they are different concerns which is a big part of privilege. also gendering people being concerned with violence in a one night stand as women automatically, is part of cis privilege.

DonaMagica

I am cis XX and I never though of being concerned about my safety in a date to be a part of any privilege… I think we are all victims of male chauvinism in that sense (even men), as it manifest in different ways, homophobia and hate of women. Males react to these feelings violently in an intent to restore their macho distorted self image. No privileges here but the unfortunate disadvantage of course, that men are physically stronger…

Evil

Lucky for you! For the trans* population, there is risk from anybody “outing” them – yes, even jaded women. That kind of abuse (of trust), intentional or otherwise, can lead to serious problems. Nobody is going to care if somebody says “Mary has a vagina OMG!” whereas if the story is “Mary has a penis – AND IS A MAN!” then things take a very bad turn very quickly.

Patrick

“People do not disrespect you by using inappropriate pronouns or using “ma’am” or “sir” as a weapon.”

I agree with most of your post. But this one isn’t true. I see it all the time. “Justine” Bieber orr “Mann” Coulter anyone?

Or that TERRIBLY “clever” quip during the Vancouver Olympics about how Johnny Weir should have to undergo gender testing?

Cis-people very much do get deliberate misgendering used against them as an insult or weapon.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

You are absolutely correct, Patrick. Which makes that one another addition to the defunct pile of “sad things for everybody.”

Thanks for reading the list with a critical eye.

Leighdaniellewilliams

How about for number 33 “you can freely claim who you are in relationship to your children”.
Eddie

There is so much overlap into my world on this list but I am not trans. I’m an XX butch lesbian and I often have to worry about bathrooms, getting Sir’d and about half the other issues on your list because I do not present at typically female. It’s much worse when I travel to rural areas. Staring, threats of violence or just rude remarks shouted from passing cars can be a constant worry or experience. It is not just a problem in the trans community. Feminine men and masculine women who are fine with their birth status are not really cis-privileged as you call it.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Thanks for sharing, Eddie. Do you think a lot of what you described above is because people misdiagnose you as trans?

Carolyn in Baltimore

No. Has nothing to do with trans but has to do with being non-conforming. I also am a soft butch female but obviously a woman due to breasts etc. I am 58 and have been sir’d all my life and occasionally confronted in bathrooms. No one has ever mistaken me for trans.
Most of this list applies to anyone not quite marching with the crowd. I have big feet and was told to shop in TV stores, except a transvestite store does not stock my taste in sensible shoes.
hukee

I was thinking about this as I read it. I just don’t think that cis-gendered applies to all of us who identify with the gender title we were given at birth. And I don’t think that this means it’s time to change pronouns. There are a lot of people who are gender non-conforming in appearance, or in how they have never subscribed to the appropriate gender roles for their gender, who don’t identify with a different pronoun. I don’t think this falls in the category of cis-gendered.
With this said, there are still points above that apply specifically to transgendered folks and gender non-conforming (especially in pronoun) folks, and I want to be aware of those differences in privilege.
Tina / male

missdiagnosed or not i believe all are worried too much about what others think. u are here and gone tomorrow .i have always got along with girls from school age, i prefered to hang out with them than guys, im a crossdresser that would gender bend ,as u say, as quick as i had the finances. but i walk as a woman born a guy look straight ahead those that scorn they have more “defects “ than u have. usually i use handycap toilets so i not offend people, especially such as muslim women, and otherwise go home use mine. so again its just opinion on your life thats become your worry, called discrimination .things that are different than the majority always raises eyebrows ,if a blind guy walked by you with a cane i can not imagine you not even setting eyes upon him as he is not majority.
Uncle Fergus

I have cis privilege in that my brain and the body I was born into line up in the current binary overriding setting. I don’t have dysphoria and I’m extremely thankful for that. But, like Eddie, my everyday expression of femaleness is pushing the boundaries of what is societally accepted as female; all my clothes are marketed towards men (except bras), I have barbered hair. I also am only 5’3″ and have breasts. But it only takes 5 minutes to have a look around a big city…there are actually a lot of short men out there! I’m misgendered practically every day – it happened at a hospital appointment yesterday. I dress in a way that is comfortable to me, that fits my identity, which is Butch. I’m not trans. I’m no tiddler either, I’m 41. I’m in a civil partnership. We’ve had a couple of corking emergency room situations too when they realise I’m female (ooh, I’ve never met real lesbians! They don’t exist in my culture etc…I kid you not, while my appendix was merrily rupturing)
Like Eddie, because of choosing to be comfortable in my skin I do put myself at a certain level of personal risk by default. Public toilets. Bus stops on my own late at night, the usual. Outside a city I’m basically read as a bloke. The world is not always fond of ‘nonconformists’. As I see it, I can’t be any other way and be happy. Like Eddie, if I drew a Venn diagram of this list, there’d a a good deal of commonality. I don’t feel animosity about it, not at all, but I do think that it’s an area where alliances can be made which maybe are being missed. I’m a trans ally myself, my best friend is a trans guy.

guest

I love it! But I do think your case would be stronger if you don’t include examples that might also apply to women in general, various ethnic minorities, or to people with atypical bodies in any fashion (e.g. wide feet…don’t fit women’s shoes): 9, 10, 15, 21, 27, 30, 31.
Misty Fowler

I disagree with Number – as a bisexual woman, I’ve often been dismissed by lesbians and gays as “greedy” or “slutty” or (most frequently) “not certain of what I want”.

Damiana Swan

I was once told–by a lawyer!–that because I’m a bisexual woman, I should really be working as a prostitute.
Guest

Seriously, just being femme in a queer community is traumatic. What people who do not present their gender as society expects
go through in the cis/straight community is what I go through in queer communities. It’s tragic when oppressed groups replicate the power structures of the hegemony.

kelsey

I hear you! As a fellow queer cis femme, it is difficult being invisible or questioned in the queer community, or feeling that your identity is not legit. However, we must realize that we move through the world with a degree of social power and privilege. We CAN access jobs that trans* women cannot, we CAN occupy a lot of public spaces without fear, scrutiny, or harassment. I’m not saying femmes don’t experience oppression, but to suggest that what we experience when other queers question/ignore our sexuality is the same as what trans* people experience when they are out in the world… sorry but I really disagree.

radbadriot

exactly kelsey, once again, derailing, this is about trans people experiencing these things because they are trans, not your cis experience. you know when you’re telling someone something and you know they can’t wait until it’s their turn to talk about themselves again? yeah. obviously all of us (i am cis but don’t outwardly, or inwardly conform to binary gender norms) to don’t conform to gender norms experience different versions of a lot of these things, but that isn’t what this post is about.
Bee

^THIS.

Grey-Anon

Hey, I’m Demisexual/Grey-A and I’ve been told I’m not really a part of lgbt+, even though asexuality is and I’m a subcategory. Usually I’m faced with “Just being smart”, although it’s not a choice either.
Maria

I was going to comment on #15, also. I’m a femme bisexual who is constantly having to defend my right to be part of the “queer” community, which has been less of an issue for the trans men and women I know. I’ve been viewed with disgust and disdain, been accused of being greedy, and of being unable to remain monogamous. I have been told several times that I’m not really part of the gay community. I guess people forget about the B in LGBT.

the_ether

I’ve definitely felt implications that I’m ‘less queer’ now that I’ve married a man (I’m a cis bi woman) but as weary as I am of bi exclusion in LGBT circles, I’m disgusted by the transphobia a thousand times more. I’ve heard the opinion that unless a trans person’s presentation is an obvious act, ie drag, they’re actively and maliciously deceiving people.

SelkieGirl

Misty, I see what you are saying, but they are not excluding you because of your gender identity.
Avery

This really isn’t a matter of disagreeing. That problem affects both the bisexual community and the trans* community. Please don’t disagree or dismiss this as a cisgender privilege because it happens to affect non-trans* groups in addition to trans* people.
LT

Agreed, I find that the Queer community does tend to dismiss bisexuals. I’ve heard “just experimenting”, “slutty”, “gay until graduation” etc. On the other side of that, I’ve known people who are trans who don’t WANT to be associated with the Queer community specifically because to the average person, Queer implies gay, and if they identify as straight, they aren’t necessarily interested in being associated

Guest

Excellent list, I’ve shared it!

To a different extent, and in a different way, some of those things cis-women have to fear as well. Such as not having heart disease diagnosed by doctors (they are hysterical), and being sexually harassed by cops because of their gender (at least where I live). I know women who have been denied apartments for being a single woman so how can they afford it without a husband?

I would also add, regarding things like ticking boxes on forms… Truly, what is usually the need to know gender or sex? Why are babies identified pink or blue? Has anyone questioned why we even need that? While being able to check the box is a privilege, because it means you are recognized by society, I maintain that the need to do so puts us all in gender prison and I am in favor of just not doing it.
Riley

How about “Not having to deal with the hassle of selective service exemption when applying for financial aid in college if you are male”? As a transman, I had to deal with that and go through all kinds of red tape in order to get my financial aid funds for college.
Elliott

I am a little confused. When you say “Having your gender as an option on a form,” isn’t that the whole point of being trans? If you are female, despite what one’s body is, shouldn’t you check “female?”

Claire

HI Elliott
I read that comment as referring to those people who do not identify as male or female but as another gender. Male and female are usually the only options given.
Guest

The trans spectrum is not binary. The whole cis binarism is the PROBLEM. Being genderqueer is also part of the trans spectrum, but genderqueer people are pretty absolutely guaranteed not to be represented at all.

the_ether

In Australia you can now select your gender on your passport without having to show proof of surgery (just a letter from a doc indicating that you are transitioning or intersex) and there is a third option, X (as well as M and F) to indicate that you are both, neither, or other. Not perfect, but much better than it used to be!

pxe

you are not asked to prove that you are who you say you are to random strangers.
you can present your gender however you want without feeling like it might reflect badly on you or cause people to “read” you.
you have the privilege of not thinking about what others think about you
Vdk9

“Hollywood accurately depicts people of your gender in films and television, and does not solely make your identity the focus of a dramatic storyline, or the punchline for a joke” — wait, wait, no.. since when has anyone enjoyed that privilege?
Freethinc Admin

For those in the LGBTIQ community who may not identify as “trans” but feel they suffer the same issues, please don’t feel excluded. I have heard trans used very frequently to define ANYONE who does not fit into the typical binary world of cisgendered people. The problem with umbrella terms in such a diverse community is that no matter how broad, it is still hard to include all individual indentities. Much love!
Yellowrayban

Not having to worry about which gendered housing you’ll live in on a college campus.
Notnecessary

No accommodations for race/color/religion/looks make this list pandering to people that already feel this way. The truth is that unless you are an age 19-30 Christian white male, most of this list does not really apply to the general cis population. Good try at making us, non-cis peoples feel better though. I respect your intentions.
elliott

It’s interesting to see how this has changed in the last few days, in response to the comments. I like the new image and description at the top.

A number of these privileges are often restricted to able-bodied, heterosexual/hetero-normative cisgender people. I understand that the goal is to make folks understand and own their privileges, but it still feels like this alienates some of our potential allies.
C Spoehr1223

31.You aren’t segregated into a private hospital room every time you are hospitalized.
32.You don’t have to explain to others why you identify as male/female rather than “trans”
33.No one ever says “I meant a REAL man/woman”(i.e.rather than a “Trans woman/man”
34. You don’t have a life long history of dodging cops and murderers,so that caution is first nature.
35.YOU MAY HAVE CHILDREN!YOU DON’T HAVE TO ADOPT(assuming that your reproductive system works and that you wish to use it) OR FOSTER WITH ALL THE COMPLICATIONS AND SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBILITIES OF GOING THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGES!

Karl S Bolton

To comment on point 35 of yours, I would clarify that this would depend on what state you live in. For example, laws in Florida it have only recently been changed to allow same sex parents to adopt or foster a child. Also I do not think that adopting or fostering a child as a “nontraditional” family is ever anything less than an utter nightmare.

Steph78374

Being able to participate in a beauty pageant without worrying about being exposed, ridiculed, and harassed by the media.
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Alexwhite358

Being expected to have a special bond with members of your biological sex as opposed to people of your same gender, and being excluded from “guys/girls nights” and other gender-segregated events due to your birth sex.
Not being able to fully express your gender identity for fear that people will insist you “just need more same sex friends,” or will reject you. Well-meaning friends may insist they can no longer be close friends because “me being your close friend just exacerbates your problem.”
Cheetahchick888

I disagree with #21, I am a cisgender bisexual female who can’t wear women’s shoes. I have a remarkable foot size (11-1/2 men’s 4E) that retail shoes for women do not come in, and forget about any cute dress shoes. I’ve had to wear men’s shoes since I was 17, but luckily most people don’t notice.
Karl S Bolton

Holy crap, does Take Back The Night exclude participants based on gender identity?! That is absolutely unbelievable! How could they possibly justify that.
I totally feel ya on being excluded in my own way. As if anyone has the right to tell someone they are not a feminist, or queer. And as far as how any GLBTQI could ever exclude another unlike themselves is beyond me. Ugggggg makes me sick! Our culture is so busy puting others into boxes to avoid their own discomfort.
I would like to say also to those whom feel as though this list is minimalizing others with similar struggles, I would just like to remind you all that with GLBTQI issues there is much overlap. For example effeminate gay men are not considered by many in our society to be “real men” a sentiment which I am sure FTMs are all to familiar with. These things are similar but our stories are all powerfull enough to stand on there own. In this way we are freed to celebrate our differences and our similarities.

Rockawayviolence

Take Back the Night does NOT exclude on the basis of gender identity and is not women only. I am on the board for my local TBTN (we are our own 503c1) and we have men on our board, male volunteers and crisis counselors at our events, and we also make efforts to partner with various orgs like the Human Rights Campaign, the local high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, and a youth LGBTQ drop in center and leadership program in hopes of being more inclusive and welcoming. However, when TBTNs started (early 70s in the US) it was primarily about violence committed against women by men, and was seen as a women’s event and some women back then may have expressed anti-male sentiment and wished for only women to march in demonstration of women walking at night (a time of danger) independently without the ‘protection’ of men. Things have changed. In recent decades, TBTN has in addition to welcoming victims and allies of any gender, has also expanded their plight to include the many forms of sexual violence, domestic violence, and child abuse. I have attended TBTNs in three different counties; each had a mission statement that they welcomed ANYone to join them who was anti-violence.

Tibby

Cisgender comes up as a misspelled word on many spell checks (Microsoft Word, Facebook, here). This shows to what extent cisgender is considered the default/real/etc gender identity (it doesn’t even need a label!) while transgender is the “other” that must be labeled.
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Kiera

you don’t get told that being seen by children is confusing and therefor bad for their development
Alex

“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”

I disagree with this. If someone is genuinely not attracted to trans* people, that is their own personal preference, not a “cisgender privilege”. Yes, it may be confusing for a cisgendered female to be dating a trans*male and have to somehow come to terms with a vagina when they were expecting a penis, therefore causing them to “question their sexual orientation”.

#28, being cisgendered and gay, I have faced this. It is not a cisgender privilege, it is a privilege for those whose families: A) Assume they are straight and are correct, or B)Don’t care and therefore no love is lost.

#30, as I mentioned, I am gay. When my entire family idealizes photos of myself with a date of the opposite gender from grade school, I feel very hurt and embarrassed. Again, not a cisgender privilege.

Evil

#9 – The fact that somebody is trans* has nothing to do with attraction, particularly if one has no idea that the person they are attracted to is trans*. (And face it, why would they need to know?) You are attracted to somebody then suddenly genitalia enters the picture and it all goes sour – that is cis-privilege.

#28 – There is a huge difference: You came out as gay and that was it, over; Somebody comes out as trans*… and the process can continue for a great length of time while those around them wonder if and when it will be over or whether one might later change their mind about it. When has a trans* person, if they are transitioning, officially “stopped” transitioning and made it to where they wanted to be? How much proof is required to tell your loved ones about it? What if it was the wrong decision to make and they cannot truly go back? What if they “de-transition” and need to convince everybody again that they were mistaken? Unlike experimentation with sexuality it cannot be put down to just a phase one was going through.

#30 – When your entire family idealises you as BEING somebody of another sex, as BEING a different person entirely, as if the person you were back then no longer exists except in their memories it is a very different thing indeed. If “Remember that time you used to date women? I wish you were still like that,” is really embarrassing then take a hard, long look at yourself and instead try on “Remember that time for more than half of your life when you struggled with anxiety, depression and suicide attempts, when you were running away from facing what you really are by trying to become more like what society wanted you to be and it was killing you inside? I wish you were still like that.”

You have no idea just how privileged you are, cis- man. Your family don’t think you are just gay man who doesn’t know how to express yourself – they KNOW you ARE a gay man. Your family don’t think you are a drag queen, just some crossdresser or some other walking, talking freak show because they don’t understand. Your family does not confuse your gender with your sexuality. Your family does not ask you to explain what “gay” is. Your family and close friends do not slip up and use your birth name instead of your actual name or, worse, deliberately use it because they think they are doing the right thing – in front of other people, which has the potential of unnecessarily “outing” you and leading to strife. I could go on.

guest

having met someone of the same gender as you when you were a child. having role models and mentors of the same gender as you as a child, adolescent, and through adulthood.
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MJ

I think being able to report domestic violence problems should be on this. Many trans people have to navigate these dangerous situations alone without the support and programs set in place, although already inadequate and mainly for cis women.
Olivia Watts

33. Being free to play the sport I love in the gender I know myself to be without having to go as far as approaching the national body controlling that sport and, through them, the International Olympic Committee, to gain their permission to play club-level sport on the basis I had taken all reasonable steps to fit my body to the parameters suitable for my claimed gender (ie: surgery and full hormonal treatment and a “qualifying period” of living in my claimed gender) and would not have an advantage over other participants because of my past status.
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coco

The problem with this list is that it assumes that people who are born female and identify as female OR are born male-bodied and identify as male….have their expression of gender be congruent with how the world sees them. Although you may call me “cisgender” I am gender queer and we need to keep in mind that sex and gender are not the same at all. Some people are differently gendered not either or.
Samantha Lococo

This is disgusting. If you are born male you are a male. If you are born female you are a female. There is no argument. It is pure fact.

Samantha Lococo

I don’t mean to be rude but you are destroying God’s creation if you choose to morph yourself into a male if you are a female and vice versa.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Well, if you’re not trying to be rude then your other comment got you started off on an impressively wrong foot. And what do you have to say about the millions of “God’s” creations that aren’t male or female?

http://www.isna.org/faq/frequency
Evil

That might be what you believe but it is not what everybody believes. The thing about faith is that there is no proof – you have no hard evidence with which to back up your claim.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Hahaha – sorry to laugh, but you’re so wrong it’s funny. And that’s a fact.

http://www.isna.org/faq/frequency

Guest

Great list! I Totally agree, cisgendered people like myself have a much easier go at it. However, I am going to make a slight objection to #18 “Hollywood accurately depicts people of your gender in films and television, and does not solely make your identity the focus of a dramatic storyline, or the punchline for a joke.”
I dont necessarily think that is true. Women are often portrayed incorrectly in media, either as vapid and unintelligent, or as crazy bitches who can’t control themselves or their emotions. But, ya other than that, great list, I think that people really don’t realize the issues around physical safety that trans-people face every day.
guest

I can’t believe nobody’s directly commented on #13; I just asked a roomful of 7 people across the gender/anatomy spectrum (who all self-identify as female) & every single one has had exactly that happen to them.
Joey

Not having to worry about people saying you are not the gender you are because of how masculine/feminine you are.
guest

It’s kind of scary that a couple of these can also be applied to white privilege.
Daria B Johnson

You (Cis-folk) won’t be asked to show ID to buy cigarettes or alcohol when you’re OBVIOUSLY over 50 and the nosy fucker behind the register just wants to check your ‘legal’ gender.
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kk

Thanks for sharing. I’m always interested in furthering this conversation by distinguishing between gender identity and expression. I’m curious as to where individuals who are perceived to be cisgender but do not identify with a gender fit into the conversation. When we say “cisgender” – do we mean identity or appearance?Both?

I am assumed to be (/”pass as”) a cisgender woman by all communities both queer and normative, and my anatomical body is in alignment with that perception. Since cis privileges are based on an assumption that doesn’t align with my sense of self, however (I identify as neither male nor female, as gender queer or agender), it feels a bit more complicated to talk about. I often wonder whether “perceived cisgender” might be a more appropriate term to use, or distinction to include when discussing cis privilege, in an effort to recognize the labeling and assumptions inherent in the privileges/safetys. While I absolutely don’t wish to parallel my experience with those who are aggressively policed for their expression, it feels silencing to have the regular assumption of a cis identity reinforced by my queer peers based on what is seen as a cis expression. Sounds like semantics but is a daily source of invisibility for me.
Barbara

I wish there were a way to emphasize each and every point on this list–especially the fear, anxiety and threat of physical violence. I am a ciswoman, member of a minority group, and a professor. I had a student who was in the process of making her transition while in my semester-long class. Because of my minority status, I could empathize with some of her concerns but not all. The city where we were was/ is pretty homogenous and heterosexual. The thing that I noticed was the level of courage it took to match her outward appearance with her self-image and perception. She had many male characteristics as she had just started a hormone regimen with the intent of eventually having surgery to make her transition more complete. Her family had outright rejected her: in a hateful way, I might add. I cannot imagine anyone rejecting their child, but they did. I wish I could have better known how to help, but the level of discrimination, threats and general social misunderstanding was so far beyond my own experience. She was a second semester senior, so she was moving on after that semester. I reflect on my teaching and hoped that I did well by her. I think of her and wonder how she is now, but I definitely understand her need for her change to be a big one once she finished her degree (name change and all).
Caitlin_bier_4

Not having to explain your identity to everyone you meet because they don’t understand what it means.

Evil

Furthermore, not having to disclose in the first place!

Caitlin_bier_4

Also not being questioned about your sexual orientation
GC

As a ciswoman, I can check off “female” on the security section of the form when I buy airline tickets online to travel abroad, and I know I can pass through security without worrying about being treated as a risk because my identity doesn’t match the paperwork I travel with. I don’t know if someone else already posted about this and I missed it, but to me this is huge.
Evil

-Being able to get a passport that accurately reflects your sex.
-Not being arrested when travelling on a passport that incorrectly identifies your sex.
-Not being detained or penalised unjustly for entering a country that considers you to be illegal based on your sex or gender identity.
-People not basing the entirety of your identity on your gender expression.

Evil

While I think about it, there is a very comprehensive list here: http://takesupspace.wordpress.com/cis-privilege-checklist/

Luc

“You don’t have to deal with old photographs that did not reflect who you truly are.” – That’s too general to really be true. For example, people who have notable differences in weight from childhood often have to deal with this. There are many things people assume about people of one weight that they don’t of another. And you can look and be treated very differently.
Alexa D

Not all Take Back the Night events are gender-exclusive, but good point with those examples.
SJ

I’m cisgendered. I don’t have all of these.
Legitinately Uncaring Citizen

fail to se the relevance of this article to anything or anyone other than the tiny introvert audience that it aparrently represents. Don’t get me wrong, i don’t hate anyone. i simply don’t give a frak.
My suggestion: move to thailand.
Anon

Number 11 is not an accurate representation of the clinical psychological community. Being transgender is NOT the important criterion for diagnosis of GID. The key criterion is “Significant clinical discomfort or impairment at work, social situations, or other important life areas”. What this means is that GID is a diagnosis when someone experiences anxiety, depression, or other major psychological problems which may be effectively treated by addressing the difficulties the individual is facing associated with their gender identity. It’s not that some is trans that is the basis for a GID diagnosis, it’s that all of the shit that they have to deal with because they are trans (everything on this list) leads them to experience severe anxiety and depression for which they seek psychological therapy. It is a key point emphasized in professional clinical guidelines that identification with another gender is NOT sufficient for a GID diagnosis. Only when significant impairment is otherwise present is GID appropriate. It is much more accurate to think of GID as a specific kind of depression or anxiety which can be helped by addressing practical issues related to an individual’s gender identity.
Katie Harris

Here is another: cisgenders never have to agonize/be scared/judged by their new roommates at camp/university/billeting situation, or never have to contact the organizers to explain their gender and needs prior to finding basic accomodation.
K Sier

33. You know that you can travel internationally without fear of a) humiliation in the airport because the marker on your passport does not match your gender expression, b) persecution or death because the country you travel to may view being trans as “illegal”
Leisan

I have friends who are straight, gay, trans, bi, straight crossdressers, everything. It’s true that most things are more difficult for anyone outside a narrow “norm”. On the lighter side though, some of those apply to me as well – try being a straight female who is overweight and has size 11 feet! But that doesn’t diminish any of the issues you bring up on your list and I was pleased to read it.

Evil

Thank you. x

Wren

I totally respond and agree with the issues, but feel like some of these are kind of stretching it a bit. There are PLENTY of people who don’t have gender issues who have wanted to and have changed their name only to be met with disrespect, incredulity, and just utter contempt. A lot of people recoil from this for some reason, and it can be incredibly frustrating, because they think they have a right to know and call you by a name that is really none of their business, especially if it is something you haven’t responded to in years. They dismiss you like you don’t know what you’re talking about, and couldn’t possibly be serious, as if it’s really just some play for attention. Like you are somehow less of a person because you’ve decided to change your name. It’s so petty, and strange, I’ve never understood it. But that’s just how it is, for ‘normal’ people, and not ‘normal’ people alike.

Evil

Put it this way, Wren: if a woman changes her name from Joanne to Kate, that is one thing but if she changes is from Joanna to Matthew then that is met with true contempt. Similarly if a man changes his name from John to Davina. It is on a completely different level.

Wren

No, I completely understand that. But I’m saying, it really doesn’t matter what you want to change the name too, there is still a huge level of disrespect and contempt that goes along with it. I know this because I’ve gone through it. My name change wasn’t particularly ground breaking I would have thought, but people still responded to me in surprisingly negative ways, as if it were any of their business.

Now that is not to say there isn’t another level of crap that goes along with changing names that regard to a gender change, but to say that it’s nothing to just change your name is incorrect. People don’t like it because you are changing solid immutable facts in their world and they respond with violence be it verbal or otherwise.

Evil

Yet people do not identity your change of name with you becoming a different person. When body building 220lbs Brian becomes a slender 130lbs Briony (that you may even inadvertently find yourself attracted to) it has a completely different effect on many people. It has an effect on this example on how Briony is treated by just about everyone, doubly so for those who knew her as Brian. Congratulations, Briony, you just became a second-class citizen! (Or worse, because you are trans you might even be classed as lower than that.) Sorry, Briony but nobody gives a hang about you now and the reputation you built up as Brian counts for absolutely naught – particularly since you have to strive to prove you were that guy even though it is probably the last thing you want to do given how much you have done to distance yourself from being Brian.

Not similar.

Dawn

“You can access gender exclusive spaces…” As a cis-woman, I still can’t become a Freemason, even entry level. I do not support or agree with events and clubs that exclude. It strikes me as discrimination, and reverse discrimination is just as bad.

Evil

Conversely, as a trans-woman I do not want to be judged or discriminated against for entering a womens changeroom in a department store, a womens shelter because I have been evicted/raped/abused or be leered at hatefully (or worse) for using a mixes/mens gym because i was barred from a women-only gym. We need safe spaces too.

Dawn

Evil, I agree completely. My point was simply that discriminatory exclusion exists everywhere, including against cisgender people, and I find it abhorent. The fact that the Michigan festival excludes trans women is discriminatory in my eyes, as well as shelters that turn away trans women. I hate the fact that every time I see my transgender spouse go into the women’s room, I sit there worrying until she comes back out. And I hope that we can all someday see that we all have experiences that join us, not divide.

Nadia

These are possibly more directed towards transgender and people who do not feel fully FTM or MTF (but may feel genderqueer, androgynous, bigendered, genderless, or something else etc.)…but I thought they should be included anyway, since we do fall under the “transgender umbrella”:

When you provide your birth name for legal purposes, the first comment you receive is not “What kind of name is ____ for a boy/girl?”When you go up to the counter to order a coffee, the barista does not say: “What would you like to drink, sir–ma’am–sir? Ma’am? Sir? Ma’am?”You have never had a customer service person pick one gender–”and what would she/he like to have?”–and then had your relative promptly correct them–”She’s a GIRL!”/”He’s a BOY!”When you’re in the waiting room at the doctor’s office and your name gets called, whether you checked M and “Mr.” gets used, or checked F and “Ms.” gets used, in either case, it feels right.When you have a conversation with more than one person, all of the people in the conversation can agree on one pronoun.
When you are speaking a foreign language that encodes female- or male-gender into verbs, adjectives, or pronouns, which form to use is an obvious choice for you.
Growing up, your extended family could guess what kinds of toys you were interested in most of the time.
Growing up, your parents let you decide what you want to wear within reason, and choosing what to wear was never a great source pain and discord.
People never ask you if you are the way you are, or worse, assume you are, because you were sexually abused.
Your friends and family do not feel the need to psychoanalyze your gender identity, and by proxy, your sexual orientation (since, while they are not the same, most of the terms used for sexual orientation are based on having a defined male/female gender–”gay”, “straight”, and “bisexual” assume that you fall into the gender binary and are attracted to people who fall into the gender binary).
BZ

I really appreciate this– thank you for creating it. Will be sharing this.
One comment– I have been going to Take Back the Night events for almost a decade and have never seen any whiff of gender exclusion. I’m not sure why this is listed as it is the exact opposite of a gender exclusive space– it is a space that welcomes everyone to come together to share and listen no matter their gender, age, experience, etc.

Evil

Good point… but have you ever met a radical extremist “feminist” such as Germaine Greer? Mark my words can she stir a crowd to hatred.

Jennell

You don’t have to come up with clever names that your children can use for you so as not to “out” yourself in public or intrude on their other parent’s identity.
guest

Hey, cool list! Just FYI, at least some Take Back the Night rallies are now including people of all genders; I know because I just participated in one. So, a little bit of progress.
http://twitter.com/widdershins_cat Katie B

I would edit #4:
Your social viability as a man/woman/human is not based on how much surgery you’ve had or how well you “pass” as non-transgender. The validity of my womanhood has NO bearing on how well or how poorly I “pass” as non-transgender.
Zach

This is really good, but we should remember that lots of cisgendered people could easily take issue with Hollywood portrayals of their gender (#18) or feel that (for a million reasons) old photographs don’t accurately represent who they are(#30). This list is a good wake-up call to people who don’t encounter the kinds of problems and discrimination outlined here, but it can be dangerous to assume that because someone doesn’t have the same set of problems or anxieties as we do that their life is easy in all the ways ours isn’t.
Andy D.

a) You do not have to hide large bits of your personal history from other people because of your gender.
b) You can feel comfortable connecting with older and more conservative people in your community.
c) You do not have to hide medications that you’re taking from your insurance company for fear of losing coverage.
d) You can feel comfortable fitting in with a new group of people without worrying whether they will judge you on your gender identity or mispronoun you.

Andy D.

Also, you probably don’t have to worry about being mistreated by EMTs after being a victim of violence, or any other kind of injury.

Matt

I really liked this article. And after reading a lot of the comments below I’m just a touch annoyed. Why do we have to pick apart the struggles that people go through? I think we can all agree that there will never be a list of ANYTHING that completely matches what any one “group” goes through without some cross over into another group. It’s generalizing, and taking the average percs of a cisgendered person over a non-gender conforming individuals experience. Besides why not instead of just saying “oh I disagree” or “you’re wrong” and say “oh hey I’ve experienced a similar experience like this…(explain)zzz and it really sucked so I can sympathize” why are we always trying to fight and separate? Let’s be a community.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Encore!

lynda

I do not agree w/ over half of this ‘list’. Dress appropriately and you won’t be considered a sex worker… I have never had to remind my family to use correct pronouns… I have never had one issue with bathroom use… I do not fear interaction w/ the police… No one has questioned me when I place the check mark in the ‘female’ box… I can find numerous role models, and they do not have to be trans… People of color are profiled all the time… I get all the medical care I have asked for and I have yet to see any psychologist… Quit being a victim, start living w/ dignity and respect for yourself and compassion for others…

http://twitter.com/stillettoangel StillettoAngel

I think that, just because you have not experienced some of the items on the list does not invalidate them. I doubt anyone will have experienced all of them, but all of these items will have been experienced by many trans people. Erasing other people’s experiences does not help anyone “quit being a victim” or “Live with dignity” and suggests that you do not respect their life experiences.
http://twitter.com/belfire86 Charley Hasted

And yet Lynda I have had all those issues and more. That you haven’t makes you LUCKY rather than the list inaccurate. Recognise how lucky you are and clearly how amazingly accepting the people you have close to you are rather than dismissing the experiences of those of us who aren’t so lucky.
Ashleigh

I could not agree more!
TransZack

and a lack of compassion for those who aren’t as fortunate as you is quite sad.
http://www.facebook.com/rogi.riverstone Rogi Riverstone

Are you a low-income person of color? Do you transport yourself by private vehicle or public transportation, or on foot? Are you saying Trans* folk who are profiled as sex workers had it coming? Really? You’re that naive? Snotty much?
Evil

Yeah, tell those sluts what for! If they dressed appropriately they would not get harassed or raped! Do not kid me, lynda: there is no such thing as dressing appropriately except when it comes to wearing a uniform. For shame.

chemicalginger

Bravo. My only revision–#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 your perpetrators”– perpetrators refers to the perpetrators of the crime, not the perpetrators of “you” (the victim).

Just something that caught me up while reading; could be fixed with a simple “the” instead of “your”.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

Love the simple fixes

MischievousBastard

You’ve never taken a beating for your gender presentation.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001247857312 Kriss PurpleLion Murray

How about being able to walk out to a car without having young punks break out in song “My “Girl”" because they’ve “read” you and high-five each other because they got the “joke”. This really happened to me the other day and I’ve been transitioning for four years and “pass” 100%.
Julia Zion

How about not having to use another name you don’t identify for legal uses, especially being told you are minor who your legal name says you are. At the same time, you have to prove that you are that legal name when the opposite is what you’d like to do.
Davi5

This article is littered with genralisations, so much so it is offensive to both transgender and cisgender. It excludes ethnicity, class, individuality, and quarrels in political climates. A poor way to raise awareness is too attack other groups which I feel this piece does, maybe the emphasis should shift onto breaking down the barriers and looking for support on all sides of the spectrum. Progress only comes from shifting and introducing new ideas; not enforcing stereotypical old ones. Spend more time in helping shift paradigms.

TransZack

What are you doing to spend your time in helping shift paradigms, what is your Blog, Webiste, Business ….?

just saying

he may not be doing anything, but the point he’s making is that making a situation worse and attacking others is both worse than doing nothing and makes you just as bad as the people you are bad mouthing.

http://joryuu.tumblr.com/ Sarah Jeanne Lombardo

Bad-mouthing someone is the process of insulting and degrading someone’s reputation with the hopes a group of people will ostracize that person–it is not saying some people are more likely to experience certain privileges, or be granted more access and agency, because of their gender identity. Furthermore, attacking someone is the process of harming someone–physically, verbally, emotionally. Again, not the same as stating that some folks experience privilege.

If you feel uncomfortable or guilty about privileges, that’s a shitty feeling, but these privileges are part of our reality–and if you don’t like that reality, then work to change it.

Which leads me to my second point: stating “trans people feel less comfortable going to a bathroom while cis people feel more comfortable” is not “making the situation worse”: it’s identifying a problem–and problems cannot be solved until they are identified. Instead of silencing this important conversation–which is truly “doing nothing”–help make change by becoming allies to trans* folks: pointing out to cis people when
they are privileging other cis people at the expense of trans people.
Point out that trans people deserve the same “privileges” and rights as
cis people. Continue the dialogue started here.

Nadia

I think all the cis people who are saying–”wait a minute, I don’t have these privileges”–should keep in mind that it is most likely because you don’t completely fit the stereotypical male/female. Without trying to force a label on you, in a way you are “genderqueer” (whether you want to embrace that label is up to you, but I am using it here to describe anyone who does not fit the gender norm). And in that case, in a way you can relate to the same issues transgender and transsexual people go through. I’m not full-blown FTM but I can relate to a lot of FTM issues as someone who is genderqueer. I think in a lot of ways the cis-identified people who don’t completely fall into male/female roles just proves the fact that list not only applies to cis people, but cis people who fall strictly within socially-defined gender boundaries. Even a lot of cis people aren’t “cis enough” to benefit from “cis privilege”. Rather than feeling insulted, I would take it as just further proof of the kind of things anyone who doesn’t present 110% male or female go through.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Smith/548594192 Chris Smith

Wow, like, 80% of this comments thread is cis people valiantly pointing out that not all cis people experience all of these privileges all of the time (or that not all trans people are denied all of these privileges all of the time). Nicely derailed, A++, would troll again.

That’s the thing about talking about privilege though. It’s about systematic structures, not individual experiences. Cis people may sometimes be denied some of these privileges, but they will not be denied them /because they are cis/. Similarly, some (probably most) trans people are awarded some of these priveleges some of the time, but this is /despite/ being trans.

Evil

Very true, Chris.
Reb

“That’s the thing about talking about privilege though. It’s about systematic structures, not individual experiences.”
THIS. Yes. Acknowledging one’s own power and privilege displays the humility necessary to be an ally – denying one’s own participation in systemic oppression, even if/when it’s beyond one’s individual “choice,” is nothing short of arrogant and short-sighted.

Anna

As a cis-woman I hate to see people derailing this article in the comments and can say that I do agree with everything the author has written. Whether you dislike the term ‘privellge’ or have a knee jerk reaction to it, cis-gendered people like myself should clearly be able to see from these alone that we *do* have privillege when actually these things (1-31) are something everyone is entiltled to-not just those of us who are cis-gendered.
Robofish

This article is well-meaning, and enlightening to many I’m sure. But unfortunately it overstates the advantages to cisgender people, at least some of whom are affected by some of these problems as well. e.g.:
- Many cisgender women get gawked at and harassed on the street.
- Many cisgender gay people have also experienced harassment and violence for simply trying to express their sexuality or relationship status in public.
- Plenty of cisgendered people get used as a punchline by Hollywood, such as fat people, members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities.

My only point is this: society is not divided into two groups, ‘privileged people’ and ‘oppressed people’. It’s a complex network of intersectional prejudices, and many people are affected by more than one. Yes, *generally speaking*, all else being equal, transgendered people have it worse off, but don’t assume all cisgendered people are having such an awesome time either.

TransZack

Sexuality and gender identity and expression are 2 different things. I think you missed the point.
Nadia

I understand what you’re saying, and in real life, there are always a million things factoring into every event that happens and every decision that is made. My disability “exempts” me from the need to worry about the bathroom issue–people just assume I picked the wrong one by accident. There’s an example of disability and gender identity simultaneously factoring into an experience. That said, right now we are talking about the transgender community, and “bathroom anxiety” is a very common day-to-day experience within the trans community. I do not experience that myself, but I also know that I’m the exception. Most of the things that cis people here have listed as privileges they do not benefit from (“I wear size ten!”) are also exceptions. There will always be exceptions, but that doesn’t mean we can’t acknowledge the trends and correlations that are there. And sometimes we can’t talk about all communities all at once, all the time. There are times we have to narrow down the topic a little, and this blog post focuses on trans issues. There are other spaces where issues such as “being trans within the deaf community” are discussed, and in those spaces we can focus on how two or more identities intersect.

Robofish

Fair enough. I think I did leap in a bit too quickly to criticise this post, and I apologise for that. I also didn’t notice that Chris Smith had basically already addressed the point I was making in his comment. Oops.

This is a good list, and I recognise the point that even if it’s not all true for every cisgender person most of it is true for most of us. (As it happens, as an ablebodied straight cis male, I have to admit that it does all apply to me anyway.)

Ashleigh

As a transwoman myself, I do not believe that I have ever experienced any of these discriminations but that is not to say that they do not exist.
http://www.facebook.com/swordright Luna Hayelasdi

Fuck number 7. No. You don’t even know. I would punch this guy for daring to say non-trans* people don’t experience this -_- Try not having a white name. Try being from a culture that commonly practices name changes after birth. Try it, asshole.

PS : I’m not Cis.
Goddessboi

There are trans people at The Michigan Womyns festival, as workers and as festie goers and protestors Lets not overlook these folks again!.My self includes as some one who lives 24/7 in the grey.And having the privilege of being born a womyn dose not guarantee hate won’t come my way when on the land cuz these days the assumption is i’m trans unless your trans and then not trans enough??? And on it goes. Camp trans also sets up the week before.This a twenty year or more conflict at least.They do not enforce any kind of gender policing.
http://www.blasianbytch.com BlasianBytch

Being able to board a plane without being taken to a special room and probed.
sailor moon

As a cis person, I’m not likely to be referred to as “it”.

(Of course that’s fine if one chooses the pronoun, but to just call someone “it” is of course rather cruel.)
Summer

Thank you, Sam. Some of these really made me think, and I appreciate that.
TransZack

People don’t assume they know your sexuality just because
they know your gender.

If you want to have your breasts augmented or reduced you
don’t have to go to a psychiatrist and get a letter saying you have permission.

If you have Gynecomastia and need
it corrected or need
a testicular implant or an erectile device implant you don’t have to go to a
psychiatrist and get a letter saying you have permission and your insurance
will probably pay for it.
Kirsty

Living in South East Asia as a foreigner I get started at all the time anyhow no matter how I dress. It’s like I’m from another planet or have two heads, so wearing a dress in public is easy

By the way, the text in the comments is almost impossible to read, font is way to small and in a grey color that merges with the background. I’m using Safari 5.1.7.
Victoria

I do not claim to have read all the comments, but the latest interpretation trend seems to be focusing on the advantages/disadvantages of different individuals. While that seems obvious, I mean it seems a focus on the positive/negative aspect, that cis people have it dandy and others do not. I read it under the understanding not of an attack on those who possess these advantages daily, nor as a plea for political and structural change (although that would be nice) but rather as an attempt to get people thinking about what it would mean psychologically and emotionally to have these as legitimate daily concerns. I agree that it is important to understand the strides that have already been taken, but it is also important to take into account how considering, or not considering, these issues influences the emotional state, psyche and quality of life of each person.
Frank DiSalle

I remember discussing this issue in relationship to “white privilege” while taking a course in graduate school in Multicultural Counseling.
It amounts to list of “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen”, and pretending that I am “privileged” for not having seen them. Whether I fully empathize with with your problems, or feel like you should “pick yourself up, dust yourselves off, and start all over again,” I am in now way privileged in not having to go through what you go through.
Here’s a story from a week ago. I was in a Mexican grocery, near my house. After I shopped – I bought a lot of stuff – I needed someone to call a taxi for me (I have not yet obtained the ‘white privilege’ of a cell phone), so I was asking the customers if someone could call a taxi for me. They didn’t speak English – was that ‘Mexican privilege’? Finally, I saw a black guy coming out . I asked him if he would call a taxi for me. He asked me “What for?” I answered , “So I can get my groceries home.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder, and said “Ask them … They sold them to you.” Durn that ‘black privilege’!

http://www.facebook.com/swordright Luna Hayelasdi

-_- Are you trolling, or just non-sensical?

Privilege is not the act of not doing favors for strangers.

http://www.facebook.com/emily.wind Emily Wind

Since when was Take Back the Night exclusive of anyone? The upcoming event in my area is open to everyone committed to its purpose.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=845030373 Toni Palmer

Everything on the list is true, the examples can and do happen to some trans ppl. I don’t understand why others commenting here would bother to argue about this. I mean honestly, what are the negative people hoping to accompllish? The writer is just pointing out some truths.
http://www.facebook.com/rogi.riverstone Rogi Riverstone

Dear Cis people, JUST SHUT UP and THINK about this! Let US talk.
Pingback: 30+ Examples of Cisgender Priviledge » PFLAG Portland, Oregon
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=784885563 Chris Makin

Most of these apply to TG people who’ve started to transition. What about those who are still presenting as their birth assigned gender? The dysphoria I get when looking in the mirror, and feeling like I’m lying every day to myself, my loved ones, and the entire rest of the world about who I am are the worst things for me, and most cis people can’t even begin to comprehend how that feels. Lucky b*stards.
http://www.facebook.com/ColettaAllison Coletta Hughes

Thank you Sam, Very well put.

To all you cis folks whining… When someone does not have to worry about something it’s taken for granted and by nature they don’t see it as a privilege…. So whine on you poor lil special people.
Megan F. Coffey

Not having to out yourself when you get a massage. Not having to out yourself when you get a new doctor. Not having to out yourself (or get outed) when you go through security at the airport. Not having to spend endless amounts of time, money and frustration on court proceedings and DMV hassles and Social Security nightmares and a gazillion other transactions for which you have to out yourself to strangers every single time.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501439595 Evan C. Paul

It does us no good to talk about who suffers more or who has more privilege. All it does is divide us further. Everyone suffers, and not everyone suffers equally, and both of those are awful. What we really need to be focusing on is how to fix all of this. That said, this list is tragic and it is true that I often take a lot of these things for granted, being myself cisgendered.

Ash

Before you can fix a problem, you must first acknowledge and define it.

Patricia Clarke

To quote Zinzi Minott’s excellent comment in response to this article which was reposted on Crunk Feminist Collective’s facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crunk-Feminist-Collective/334010421749#!/pages/Crunk-Feminist-Collective/334010421749Whilst I understand what this article is trying to do, It is written from a white hetronormative perspective. It does not consider the layered aspects of identity. Saying that because your Cisgendered you have all of these privileges is mis…guided. ” The few below are just an example of a few on the list which need to be taken off! They will apply to many Cisgendered people who are from any other oppressed group. that should be recognised. Opinions welcomed! “1.You can easily find role models and mentors to emulate who share your identity.
2.Hollywood accurately depicts people of your gender in films and television, and does not solely make your identity the focus of a dramatic storyline, or the punchline for a joke. 3.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.”

Evil

Oh really? Then easily make a list of twenty trans women role models and mentors for trans women. (Conversely for trans men.) Name from the top of your head more than one Hollywood movie that depicts trans persons accurately, with dignity and as people. Tell me just how many people accidentally think you are not a woman, do not confused because you identify as a woman or think you are going to hell because you identify as a woman but were not born a woman.

No? Then stick a sock in it.

Transman

#30 Who doesn’t have old embarrassing photos of themselves with a dated hairstyle, or wearing ugly clothing, pimples, braces, etc.
#31 People have sex for many reason, mostly because of attraction, or curiosity. There is a fetish for everything from Race, Size, Haircolor, Hair Length, and Gender.

Evil

Not sure if trolling or just that ignorant.

I have old photos of myself shirtless, as a school boy, in a heterosexual relationship, as “best man” at my best friends wedding, with a beard, WITH A PENIS for rubbish sake. Being remembered as male when I am female is very, very different to being remembered for dated hairstyles or ugly clothing and pimples.

Being straight, being gay, being bisexual, being pansexual or asexual is not a fetish.

Bea

I definitely agree with basically all of this. However, something I’d like to point out is that it’s difficult for law enforcement, hospitals, etc. to match trans* people to their identification if the image is not true to how they present. It poses some safety issues, but at the same time, I can’t think of a way to remedy this–I’m just giving my viewpoint. Otherwise, however, this is very well-written!
Rem

I have another one: You don’t have to e-mail your perspective college to makes sure that your professors use the correct pronouns and name for you.
Ni

I must be the most privileged motherfucker in the world!
Violet

I think its important to recognize how much struggle trans* folk have, but I also think its important to not make it an ‘us and them’ thing. We are all human, we all deserve the same rights. We all deserve equality. I think there is too much cishate or resentment going on and, honestly, as a cis person it doesn’t make me feel good- it makes me feel attacked almost. But I’m not the bad guy- I love people for people and believe we all deserve love, compassion, equality, equal opportunity. Why should I feel bad? Because I’m cisgendered? Because I don’t ‘get it’? I don’t know, I understand that something strong has to happen to change the world for the better, but at the same time… the ‘us and them’ attitude is wrong, it’s not the right way to go. Mind you what I’ve said isn’t an attack on the article, its just a comment on the culmination of experiences I have had since discovering the term ‘cis’. As for the article, I respect it and the perspective it offers.

Evelyn Williams

I can see what you are getting at but there are a few factors that merits the “us” versus “them” approach. Firstly, legal gender status recognition for trans persons typically comes at the expense of being rendered infertile – if a person is removed from the gene pool are they still, technically, human? Secondly, cis hate is no more justified than trans hate, the difference being that certain cis scum* deserve no remorse or sympathy whereas trans scum does not exist, being that trans identities are being marginalised and exploited rather than the other way around.

Should you feel bad? That depends, are you exacerbating the problem or reducing it? Are you doing what you can to find out more so that you can become a better ally? Are you recognising your privilege in order to see where you stand in relation to these issues? If you already feel bad then maybe you just answered those questions.

*Not my words – see http://tranarchism.com/2011/11/21/guest-post-die-cis-scum/

CD

NO THIS IS WRONG BECAUSE OLD PICTURES DON’T SHOW WHO I REALLY AM

i was really adorable in old pictures #awkwardwhinycisproblems
CD

BTW, the point is for there to be generalizations. Clearly a list like this couldn’t cater to every individual case. The majority of cisfolk experience the majority of these privileges, and therefore it’s valid. IMO.
Guest

I have a question related to 18, and I hope it does not come off as too ignorant. I should mention that I am a cisgender person. I am also a writer who is curious about ways to depict characters in diverse ways. How would you (any commenter can answer) like a transgender person to be depicted in a film or television show? Would you like to see a transgender actor in the role, or a cisgender person? Would you want the character to be distinguished as transgender by an external factor like physical appearance or voice? Would you like the character to mention that they are transgender? If so, how could that be worked in without making it either a major dramatic plot or an offensive joke? If the transgender person is not externally identifiable as transgender and does not mention that they are transgender, how would a viewer know that? And if the viewer did not know that, how do we know that any given character already in a show or movie is not transgender?
I hope I do not offend anyone with these questions, and forgive me if I sound niave. I am not at all attacking or disagreeing with the point made in 18, but rather am genuinely curious how people feel transgender characters should be portrayed in film and television, and thought it would be a conversation worth having. I also do not expect people to agree on a definitive answer.

Evil

Personally, I would like the person to be depicted like they were any other character. The fact that they are trans would be incidental but might crop up in terms of the prejudices they face. Perhaps it would help if it was not apparent to begin with that they are trans – maybe the want nobody else to know, having done their best to bury the past. I think it would be terrific if they were not portrayed as the butt of a joke, crazy or perverted. I would ideally like to see them played by a trans actor, which is curiously rare when it comes to trans characters in film and television.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=605569147 Dylan Petrohilos

great article!
slithers

#9 could be updated to include one’s “own” sexual orientation also —
You have the ability to flirt, engage in courtship, or form a relationship and not fear that your biological status *or gender expression* may be cause for rejection or attack, nor will it cause your partner to question their sexual orientation *nor to doubt your stated sexual orientation* . [as originally written, the text is only relevant for passing trans persons, not for genderqueer or non-passing trans folk]
onyxkatze

The claim that many cisgender people have made, here and in general, about not having these privileges is totally valid but misses the point. Do many cisgender people fear stripping down in locker rooms? Yes, of course. Do cisgender women get sexually harassed on a regular basis? Absolutely, because rape culture is perpetuated every day. However, these things do not happen to people because they are cisgender (and if they do, it’s pretty much unheard of). It does not mean the experiences of cisgender people should be trivialized — far from it — but there needs to be space for sharing, validating, and discussing the experiences of trans, intersex, gender-variant, agender, and genderqueer people. Articles like this remind cisgender people that the need for that space exists.

It goes the other way, too. I don’t identify as cisgender — I am a genderqueer female — but I almost always have cisgender privilege because of my gender expression/presentation. This means that in conversations about gender, I may identify with other people who are genderqueer, but I need to allow room for our actual experiences to differ drastically depending on privilege.

http://samuelkillermann.com/ Samuel Killermann

This is an incredibly good point. Thank you for articulating it so clearly. Please don’t hesitate to speak up elsewhere on the site

Josef

I am white, male, well-off, cis scum (lol u guise), and I don’t give two shits about your plight. How does this make you feel?

El Sammich13

Sad that you can’t spell guys?

Chris

So this touches on gender identity, but not fully on gender expression. I know many people who are cis and from a variety of orientations who haven’t experienced these privileges because of their expression. As far as I know “cis” is about identity, but not expression of that identity. For instance butches, while identifying as cis still get discrimination and lack privileges because of their masculinity. Same for feminine men regardless of orientation. I think when it comes to collectives like that it’s not just about random individual experience regarding lack of privilege, but is systematic as well and should be taken into account. Shopping for clothes, for instance, has been denied these groups based on expression because of their cis status. Something to take into account when making an argument.

For the record I’m not cisgender, I’m butch, I’m female and I’m genderqueer, but am often perceived to be a woman by dominant culture. Clothes shopping and such, becuase of my perceived “womanness” is sometimes an issue.
http://morwenedhelwen.wordpress.com/ Morwen Edhelwen

”As a cisgender person, I come into every interaction with a social knowledge of what is expected of me because my gender presentation can be safely assumed to be that of the sex I was assigned at birth and because I have been socialized to know how people of my assigned sex are expected to act”
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kynthia-Alice/100001009247368 Kynthia Alice

31. Oh god. I dont know how many times someone has pretended to be interested in me and I hear one of two phrases that tip me off
1. “The best of both worlds”
2. “A woman with something extra”
Kind of tired of being a freak factor for dating.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kynthia-Alice/100001009247368 Kynthia Alice

And the cis in here trying to defend themselves. boo hoo.I could care less about your butt hurt and your continued attempts to negate our experience as trans persons.