Social media platform X, previously known as Twitter and currently overseen by entrepreneur Elon Musk, has begun regulating posts that utilize the terms “cis” or “cisgender,” according to multiple users. This development occurred eight months after Musk revealed his plan to categorize these LGBTQ newspeak words as offensive language on the platform last year, an initiative that remained largely unenforced until recently.
“The words ‘cis’ or ‘cisgender’ are considered slurs on this platform,” Musk wrote in June 2023. “Repeated, targeted harassment against any account will cause the harassing accounts to receive, at minimum, temporary suspensions.”
Post publication attempts featuring these terms on the X platform were met with a comprehensive warning message, signaling a possible violation of the site’s rules regarding “hateful conduct.” Despite no observable account deletions, the visibility of test posts was noticeably impacted, earning them a label reading: “Visibility limited: this Post may violate X’s rules against Hateful Conduct.”
The X policy manual doesn’t explicitly indicate “cis” or “cisgender” as offensive terms, nor has the platform amended its policies since April 2023. However, it clearly opposes “hateful conduct,” particularly any direct assault based on race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, or other factors. It also warns against any regular use of slurs or negative stereotypes about a legally protected category.
The terms “cis” and “cisgender” are often used by LGBTQ activists in a derogatory manner.
Earlier, X modified the ex-Twitter policy that restricted so-called “misgendering,” permitting users to use biologically accurate and correct pronouns to describe individuals without invoking strictures or account blockages, except in regions where it is forbidden by law.
