Elon Musk has sparked a controversy on Twitter by declaring the word “cisgender,” or “cis,” as a “slur.” According to Merriam-Webster, “cisgender” refers to a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. While it is generally accepted as a factual term, Musk’s stance is that it is a derogatory term.
The debate surrounding “cisgender” began when James Esses, a former criminal attorney turned social commentator, expressed his rejection of the word on Twitter. Esses claimed that he received messages from trans activists using derogatory terms after his tweet. Musk then responded, stating that “cis” and “cisgender” are considered slurs on his platform.
LGBTQ+ advocates criticized Musk’s statement, pointing out that Twitter’s policies do not explicitly prohibit harassment against transgender users. They also questioned Musk’s commitment to free speech, as his new rule on “cisgender” appears to limit expression. Musk’s own daughter, who is transgender, has distanced herself from him, further adding to the controversy.
The researcher who coined the term “cisgender,” Dana Defosse, stated that it is a valid construct. Defosse accused Musk of a history of attacking transgender people. It is speculated that Musk’s sensitivity on the topic may be influenced by his personal experiences, as he has an estranged transgender daughter. The relationship between Musk and his daughter has been strained, with Musk blaming her distancing on external factors.