Elon Musk faces backlash over his remarks regarding gender and sexual identity. The Tesla CEO took to social media to claim that the term ‘cis’ is a heterosexual slur, prompting a swift response from the LGBTQ+ community and activists.
In a recent Twitter post, Musk made the unfounded assertion that “The word ‘cis’ is a heterosexual slur” and called out those who use it. Cisgender refers to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth and is unrelated to sexual orientation. This statement led many to challenge Musk’s understanding of the term.
Prominent trans activist Charlotte Clymer countered Musk’s remarks, explaining that “‘Cis’ refers to gender identity, not sexual orientation, which means it’s entirely unrelated to whether or not someone is heterosexual.” Clymer’s response highlighted the misconception behind Musk’s comments.
This is not the first time Musk has expressed disdain for the term ‘cisgender.’ In a previous tweet, he disparaged the coiner of the term, despite it being introduced by a cisgender woman in 1994.
Musk’s public comments on gender identity have intensified since his transgender daughter sought a legal name change in 2022, citing her gender identity and the desire to distance herself from her biological father. These remarks have ignited discussions about the responsibility of public figures in shaping public opinion and the importance of accurate and inclusive language when discussing gender and identity.