CISMAN Meaning and
Definition
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Cisman, also known as cisgender man, is a term used to describe an individual whose gender identity matches the sex that they were assigned at birth. The term cisgender is derived from the Latin prefix "cis," meaning "on the same side," and it is used to contrast with the term transgender.
A cisman is someone who identifies as male and experiences a intimate connection with the gender assigned to them at birth, typically based on their biological characteristics. For example, if a person is assigned male at birth and continues to identify as male throughout their life, they can be described as a cisman.
This term is used to acknowledge that gender identity is not solely determined by biological sex, but also by a person's internal sense of self and how they perceive, experience, and express their gender. By using the term cisman, it emphasizes that this individual's gender identity aligns with societal expectations and the stereotypes typically associated with being male.
It is important to note that being a cisman does not require conforming to traditional gender roles or expectations, as gender identity is a personal and individual experience. Additionally, the term cisgender man is specific to men and should not be applied to individuals who identify outside the male gender.
Etymology of CISMAN
The term "cisman" is a portmanteau of two words: "cisgender" and "man".
The word "cisgender" is derived from the Latin prefix "cis-", meaning "on the same side", and the term "gender". It was coined in the 1990s by transgender activists and scholars to describe individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. The prefix "cis-" is used to contrast with "trans-", as in transgender, which means "across" or "beyond" gender.
The term "man" has Old English roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "mannaz". It refers to an adult human male, and it has been in use for centuries to denote individuals within that gender category.
