In a recent act of defiance against gender ideology and its proponents, Twitter CEO Elon Musk has taken a firm stance by prohibiting the abusive and repeated use of the terms “cis” and “cisgender” on Twitter. This move comes as a response to an apparent campaign of harassment by LGBT activists targeting a critic of gender ideology.
It all began when co-founder of Thoughtful Therapists James Esses expressed criticism of the label “cis” in a tweet, stating his disbelief in gender ideology and his refusal to self-identify as such. He shared that the use of this term made him feel unsafe and made it clear that he would rather not be addressed that way.
“I formally and publicly declare that I reject the label of ‘cis’. I don’t believe in gender ideology. I don’t self-identify as ‘cis’. Using this term makes me feel unsafe and is demonstrative of your hatred towards me. Anyone who uses the term ‘cis’ to describe me is a bigot,” he wrote.
Triggered by the tweet, LGBTQ+ activists seized the opportunity to barrage Esses with messages, using derogatory terms such as “cis” and “cissy,” as well as accusing him of having a “cissyfit.”
In response, Esses highlighted the hypocrisy of the situation, noting that if the roles were reversed, the outrage would be unimaginable.
Yesterday, after posting a Tweet saying that I reject the word ‘cis’ and don’t wish to be called it, I receive a slew of messages from trans activists calling me “cissy” and telling me that I am ‘cis’ “whether or not I like it”.
Just imagine if the roles were reversed.
— James Esses (@JamesEsses) June 20, 2023
Elon Musk came into the mix on Wednesday morning with a tweet that communicated his stance against Esses’ harassment.
“Repeated, targeted harassment against any account will cause the harassing accounts to receive, at minimum, temporary suspensions,” he stated, adding that “the words ‘cis’ or ‘cisgender’ are considered slurs on this platform.”
Repeated, targeted harassment against any account will cause the harassing accounts to receive, at minimum, temporary suspensions.
The words “cis” or “cisgender” are considered slurs on this platform.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2023
This decision by Musk garnered widespread support, with his post receiving over 147,000 likes and Esses thanking him for “standing up for reality.” Interestingly, co-founder of feminist publication Reduxx Genevieve Gluck shed light on the origin of the term “cisgender.”
She revealed that the term was first used by Volkmar Siguschin, a German apologist for children’s sensuality, in a 1991 publication.
Siguschin’s troubling beliefs, including his defense of exposing children to pornography and his belief that “there is nothing wrong with pedophilia,” have raised concerns about the origins of these terms.
The term "cisgender" was coined by a German sexologist who also stated, "The sensuality that spontaneously unfolds between a child and an adult is something wonderful."
Volkmar Sigusch first used the terms "cisgender" and "cissexual" in a 1991 publication titled Transsexuals and… pic.twitter.com/JoqRs8hix0
— Genevieve Gluck (@WomenReadWomen) June 20, 2023
Elon Musk, in reaction to the tweet about the source of the term “cisgender,” denounced Siguschin as a “contemptible creep” with serious problems. Musk’s comment suggests that the term “cis” should be disregarded due to its problematic association.
Yup, the contemptible creep that manufactured the term “cis” has serious problems. Ignore him.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2023
“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling also weighed in on the conversation, labeling “cis” an ideological language, signifying belief in the unfalsifiable concept of gender identity.”
“You have a perfect right to believe in unprovable essences that may or may not match the sexed body, but the rest of us have a right to disagree, and to refuse to adopt your jargon,“ he added.
'Cis' is ideological language, signifying belief in the unfalsifiable concept of gender identity. You have a perfect right to believe in unprovable essences that may or may not match the sexed body, but the rest of us have a right to disagree, and to refuse to adopt your jargon.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 21, 2023
While it is unclear if Twitter will be handing any suspensions over the use of the denounced terms, its hateful conduct policy prohibits “targeting others with repeated slurs, tropes or other content that intends to degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category.”
