Legal Definitions - cisgender

Cisgender describes an individual whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. This means that a person who was identified as female at birth and identifies as a woman is cisgender. Similarly, a person identified as male at birth who identifies as a man is also cisgender.

• Example 1: David was born with biological characteristics that led medical professionals to record his sex as male on his birth certificate. Throughout his life, David has always felt and identified as a man, using male pronouns and presenting himself in a way that aligns with his male gender identity.

  This illustrates cisgender because David's internal sense of being a man (his gender identity) is consistent with the male sex he was assigned at birth.

• Example 2: Dr. Anya Sharma, a pediatrician, was assigned female at birth. She has always identified as a woman and lives her life comfortably with this identity, feeling that it accurately reflects who she is. Her professional and personal life are both experienced through her identity as a woman.

  This demonstrates cisgender because Dr. Sharma's gender identity as a woman aligns directly with the female sex she was assigned at birth.

• Example 3: A high school student named Carlos was identified as male at birth. He has always known himself to be a boy and identifies as a young man, participating in activities and forming friendships that reflect his male identity. He feels no disconnect between the sex he was assigned at birth and his deeply held sense of self.

  This example shows cisgender because Carlos's gender identity as a boy/young man corresponds with the male sex he was assigned at birth.