Being a cisgendered heterosexual ‘does not’ make you straight

The term “cisgender” means a person who identifies with their biological sex. According to the linked Yahoo!life article, gender and sexuality exist on a spectrum. There is an implication that the traditional definition of a heterosexual, sexually attracted to the opposite gender, should be redefined based on the “multiple genders” concept. The article combines the two into “cishet”.

From Yahoo!life :

First, let’s take a step back. For the most part, society in the U.S. is heteronormative, meaning that it’s set up with the assumption that most people are heterosexual and cisgender, says Harvey. For example, there’s not a coming out process associated with being cishet, as there is for individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Because of that, everything from legal systems and medical forms to children’s books and the variety of greeting cards available at your local CVS is geared toward being cishet. If you don’t identify as such, the experience can run the gamut from isolating to dangerous to everything in between.

For those who identify as cishet to be more inclusive, it’s important to think about the language you use, not make assumptions about someone’s sexual or gender identity, and generally “try to walk around with an active mind,” says Harvey. “There’s just so much engrained stuff around gender and sexuality that it can be really hard to undo that.”

Saung adds that conversations about privilege often define the term as being a special advantage in society. Certainly, privilege can manifest in that way, but they say, you should instead think about the idea as “a lack of additional barriers.”\

One way to educate yourself is learning about the symbolism of the LGBTQ+ pride flags:

“It’s less about it being a kind of positive step up and more of an absence of obstacles or things that get in your way based on who you are,” Saung explains.

When you’re in a position of privilege, it’s important to realize that not everyone has the same opportunities or access as you do. That said, Saung notes that it’s less about helping those with less privilege than you and more about understanding how all of our systems–gender included–hurt all of us. Making legislative tweaks and passing laws that address issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community one at a time can make a positive difference, sure, but recognizing your privilege and how it allows you to move easily through the world compels you to ask the question, how can we create a new system that values everyone?

And that sounds like a future worth fighting for.

Yahoo!life has the article here.

Category: Democrats, Liberals suck, Society, YGBSM!!