The term “cisnormativity” is derived from two components: “cis,” which is a prefix denoting individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth, and “normativity,” referring to the imposition or expectation of social norms. Coined to parallel concepts like heteronormativity, cisnormativity emerged in discussions around gender identity and expression, highlighting societal assumptions favoring cisgender experiences as the standard, thereby marginalizing transgender and non-binary identities.
Meanings and Concept
Binary Assumption: Cisnormativity perpetuates the binary understanding of gender, assuming that everyone fits neatly into the categories of male or female, neglecting the diversity of gender identities.
Privilege: It denotes the societal privilege afforded to cisgender individuals, leading to the normalization of their experiences while marginalizing and stigmatizing those who don’t conform to cisgender norms.
Expectations: Cisnormativity imposes expectations on individuals to conform to traditional gender roles and expressions, reinforcing stereotypes and limiting the freedom of self-expression.
Visibility and Erasure: It influences media, language, and institutions, often rendering transgender and non-binary experiences invisible or misrepresenting them, reinforcing the idea that cisgender is the norm.
Social Systems: Cisnormativity is ingrained in various social systems, influencing policies, laws, and healthcare practices, sometimes leading to discrimination and inadequate support for transgender and non-binary individuals.
Intersectionality: It intersects with other forms of discrimination, compounding the challenges faced by individuals who may also belong to marginalized groups based on race, class, or sexual orientation.
Cisnormativity is a theoretical concept describing the societal bias that assumes and privileges cisgender experiences as the norm. It reinforces the binary understanding of gender, marginalizing transgender and non-binary identities. Cisnormativity manifests in various social structures, perpetuating expectations, erasing diverse gender experiences, and contributing to systemic inequalities.
Cisnormativity: Theorists, Works, and Argument
Theorists
Works
Argument
Judith Butler
Gender Trouble
Butler critiques cisnormativity by challenging the fixed nature of gender, emphasizing its performative aspects.
Kate Bornstein
Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us
Bornstein explores the limitations of cisnormativity, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of gender diversity.
Julia Serano
Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity
Serano analyzes how cisnormativity contributes to the marginalization and scapegoating of transgender women.
Susan Stryker
Transgender History
Stryker traces the historical impact of cisnormativity on transgender communities, highlighting struggles for recognition.
Talia Bettcher
Evil Deceivers and Make-Believers: On Transphobic Violence and the Politics of Illusion
Bettcher explores the philosophical implications of cisnormativity in contributing to transphobic violence.
Cisnormativity: Major Characteristics
Binary Assumption:
Example: The widespread societal belief that individuals must fit neatly into the categories of either male or female reinforces cisnormativity.
Privilege:
Example: Cisnormativity grants privileges to individuals whose gender identity aligns with their assigned sex, often leading to the normalization of their experiences at the expense of others.
Expectations:
Example: Cisnormativity imposes societal expectations regarding gender roles, assuming that individuals will conform to traditional norms based on their assigned gender at birth.
Example: Media representations predominantly featuring cisgender characters contribute to the erasure of transgender and non-binary individuals, reinforcing the idea that cisgender is the norm.
Social Systems:
Example: Legal and healthcare systems may exhibit cisnormativity by assuming binary gender identities, potentially resulting in discriminatory practices against transgender and non-binary individuals.
Example: Cisnormativity intersects with other forms of discrimination, compounding challenges for individuals who may face discrimination based on factors such as race, class, or sexual orientation.
Cisnormativity: Relevance in Literary Theories
Literary Theory
Relevance to Cisnormativity
Queer Theory
Queer theory examines how literature either reinforces or challenges cisnormative assumptions, exploring narratives that depict non-normative gender and sexual identities and their impact on societal norms.
Feminist Literary Theory
In the realm of feminist literary theory, scholars investigate how literature reflects and critiques patriarchal structures, shedding light on cisnormative expectations regarding gender roles and expressions within narratives.
Postcolonial Literary Theory
Within postcolonial literary theory, the examination extends to the intersection of cisnormativity with colonial legacies. This theory explores how literature may perpetuate or resist Western gender norms in diverse cultural contexts, contributing to a nuanced understanding of identity.
Critical Disability Studies
Critical disability studies in literary analysis delves into how literature represents and often marginalizes disabled individuals. This perspective considers the impact of cisnormativity on the portrayal of gender and disability within literary works.
Transgender Literary Theory
Transgender literary theory focuses specifically on narratives that challenge or reinforce cisnormativity, providing insight into how literature contributes to the broader understanding and acceptance of transgender identities.
Cisnormativity: Application in Critiques
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides:
In “Middlesex,” Eugenides critiques cisnormativity by challenging binary assumptions about gender. The protagonist’s intersex identity disrupts traditional norms, offering a narrative that questions and deconstructs cisnormative expectations.
Orlando by Virginia Woolf:
Woolf’s “Orlando” critiques cisnormativity through a character who undergoes a magical transformation, experiencing both male and female identities across centuries. The novel explores the fluidity of gender, challenging societal expectations and presenting a narrative that transcends cisnormative constraints.
Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg:
In “Stone Butch Blues,” Feinberg critiques cisnormativity by delving into the experiences of a gender non-conforming protagonist. The novel addresses the challenges faced by individuals who don’t conform to traditional gender norms, highlighting the societal pressures and discrimination perpetuated by cisnormative expectations.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin:
Le Guin’s “The Left Hand of Darkness” critiques cisnormativity by presenting an alien society where individuals are androgynous, with the ability to change gender. The narrative challenges the fixed nature of gender, prompting readers to question and reconsider cisnormative assumptions through the lens of a speculative and thought-provoking world.
