Cisnormativity is a term described often as the opposite of transgender — someone who is born to the gender they identify with.
Toronto based trans activist, Sophia Banks discussed the topic of cis to an audience of about 20 people as the keynote speaker of Acceptance Day, an event hosted by the Queer Students Alliance on Jan. 29.
“How would you describe what it is to be a woman without using physical attributes?” asked Banks. This question highlighted how society promotes physical changes that cost thousands of dollars in surgeries in order to “pass” as a woman or man.
According to Banks, transgender celebrities perpetuate this opinion.
Many students at Algonquin may only be aware of trans community because of Caitlyn Jenner. This is a problem for many reasons, one being a lot of misinformation, said Banks.
“I have a feeling she can probably go through her life to some degree where people aren’t throwing bottles at her on the street, or having to take public transit,“ said Banks.
But, what if you are a trans woman who happens to like wearing pants? Or if you are a trans man who feels out of place in a male washroom because there are no sanitary receptacles available in the stalls during your time of the month, explained Banks.
These are the issues of cisnormativity and the assumption that all transgender people want to look like a cis-man or a cis-woman. These cis-norms are harmful to the transgender community and to those individuals who do not want to change their bodies to look like the most femme, or masculine version of the gender they identify as.
“It’s easy to be like, ‘oh I have a trans friend I’m not transphobic’ but you can still participate in systems of cisnormativity that oppress that trans friend or other trans people, “ said Banks.
Banks offered a radical solution to oblivious cisnormativity and blatant trans phobia – to stop gendering babies.
“What if we were allowed to be ourselves as kids?” asked Banks. By labeling a baby male or female at birth based on their physical characteristics, we’re erasing multiple genders and oppressing those who may identify differently, she continued.
Cisnormativity was one of three topics discussed at Algonquin’s first Acceptance Day.
Upon its completion, organizer Kayla Spagnoli said she is, “really happy with the turnout, the feedback was really positive,” and is looking forward to the QSA’s upcoming Pride Week.