Twitter will suspend users who use the terms "cis" and "cisgender" as they will be considered insults. This was reported by Elon Musk, who described these expressions as "despicable" and "disgusting." The measure generated mixed reactions in the Twitter community, reaching 19 million views.
As stated by Musk, "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."
The move came after complaints from conservative commentator James Esses, who received many messages from trans activists using the term pejoratively to address him.
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
"Cis" and "cisgender" are popular terms in the trans community, commonly used to refer to those whose gender identity aligns with their biological sex.
The new rule generated mixed reactions in the Twitter community: some applause mixed with boos. One of the most popular comments was from a user who referred to the origin of the terms mentioned above by Volkmar Sigusch.
"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 our Nosomorphic View," the user wrote.
"Speaking of cissexuals. If there are transsexuals, logically, there must be cisexuals. You can't think of one without the other at all. I have allowed myself to introduce the terms cissexualism, cissexuals, cisgender, etc.," Sigusch wrote at the time.
Musk even bluntly responded to him: "Yup, the contemptible creep that manufactured the term 'cis' has serious problems. Ignore him."
