Pamelia Riviere:
A few days ago, I stumbled upon some videos on Facebook where a man was tearing pages from a book and encouraging others to do the same. I was shocked, and I searched for the reason. I discovered that the reason behind the vicious act was a specific part of the Class 7 Itihash O Samajik Biggyan (History) transgender lesson material. The man should be removed from all kinds of government and non-government jobs immediately for his racial acts. I am unsure how he got acceptance in BRAC when he justified raping girls earlier. He is not safe for girls and transgender or LGBTQ community.
I believe that the curriculum board should have a clear discussion on how to address transgender issues before incorporating new teaching material into the curriculum. The curriculum should cover genetics, gender, history, and social science. It’s crucial to include engaging stories, science-based discussions and inquiry-focused science education.
What does Gender, Transgender and Cisgender (Cisgender/ the same side) mean? What is the relationship between gender spectrum (Sexual Orientation)?
My Master’s degree in Gender, Education, and Women’s Development and my Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, with a focus on peace and conflict resolution through science, has given me a better understanding of gender, discrimination, and socio-scientific issues.
In 2013, after watching the movie “The Danish Girl,” I could feel a man’s desire to live with his true identity and how his partner supported him with love and kindness. It made me reflect on the experiences of transgender people and their willingness to live as their authentic selves. After that, I wrote a few articles on transgender issues one decade ago.
In this piece, I clarify the current understanding of the gender spectrum, including gender, cisgender and transgender. Gender is an important issue that should not be confined to academic discussions. Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness, religious constraints, and superstitions, this topic is considered taboo. Society discourages people from discussing gender issues, especially in front of parents.
What is Gender?
Gender is a term used to describe the socially constructed characteristics of women, men, girls, and boys. It encompasses the norms, behaviours, and roles that are associated with each individual. Gender is not just about being male or female but also includes social, psychological, cultural, and behavioural aspects of different gender identities (Riviere, 2011).
What is Transgender?
This category consists of individuals whose sex assigned at birth was identified as female, but their current gender is reported as something other than female. It also includes individuals whose sex assigned at birth was identified as male, but their current gender is reported as something other than male. Additionally, it encompasses individuals who are uncertain of their gender or individuals who are reported as being both male and female, bi-gender, or neither male nor female (Statistics Canada, 2021).
The definition above explains that “transgender” is a term used to describe people whose gender identity, expression or behaviour doesn’t match the gender typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. This feeling of being a boy or a girl may change during puberty. Transgender people are at a higher risk of violence and sexual assault than cisgender people. It is crucial for parents and society to educate others in order to support them (Riviere, 2014).
Spread your love for those not because they are different than you. Spread love for them because they are the same species, humans.
What is Cisgender?
Canada has become the first country to release census data on transgender and non-binary people. Approximately 1 in 300 individuals aged 15 years and above in Canada identify as transgender or non-binary.
Statistics Canada (2021) states, “This category includes persons who have reported that their sex assigned at birth is the same as their current gender.” Furthermore, Statistics Canada (2021) explains that cisgender persons are individuals whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth. On the other hand, transgender persons are individuals whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned at their birth. It is important to understand that a transgender woman identifies as female while a transgender man identifies as male.
Therefore, a cisgender person is someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth and who is not transgender. A cisgender female is someone born with sex organs such as the ovaries, uterus, and vagina (Daly, 2924); a doctor identifies her as a girl. Similarly, a male cisgender is born with sex organs such as the penis, scrotum, and testicles (Daly, 2024), a doctor identifies him as a boy. In both cases, sex was assigned at birth based on genitals, which matches gender.
According to an article in Transgender Studies Quarterly by B. Aultman, the term “cisgender” refers to individuals who have the typical male or female reproductive organs (sex) from birth and into adulthood and identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. In simpler terms, a cisgender person’s gender identity aligns with their biological sex, whereas a transgender person’s gender identity differs from their biological sex (2014).
Many people confuse the term “cisgender” with being straight or heterosexual, but they actually have different meanings. Cisgender refers to individuals who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. These individuals can identify as straight, gay, bisexual or lesbian when they reach puberty, just like anyone else.
Transgender activists created the term ‘cisgender’ in the 1990s to describe individuals who identify with their gender assigned at birth, in contrast to transgender individuals. The term Cis comes from the Latin word, meaning “on the same side as” (B Aultman, 2014).
The word “cisgender” was created in 1994 to define people who are not transgender. It became more widely known in 2015 when it was added to dictionaries, reflecting changes in how society talks about gender. Despite its growing use, the term is controversial and has faced criticism.
The term “cisgender” was created to promote equality between transgender individuals and those who identify with the sex assigned to them at birth. However, some argue that this term is not entirely effective, as it may still suggest that being born with certain sex characteristics is the norm. Despite its initial goal of disrupting gender assumptions in language, the use of “cisgender” may inadvertently reinforce societal norms regarding gender identity (Enke, 2013; B Aultman, 2014).
In 2015, its use became more widespread, and it was officially added to the dictionary, reflecting the changes in how society perceives and discusses gender. Although the term is increasingly used in everyday language, it has also sparked controversy and received criticism because without encompassing other gender spectrums/ sexual orientation, the Cisgender concept cannot be completed.
Gender identity and sexual orientation are different.
The terms “boy” and “girl” tend to promote the idea that being cisgender (identifying with the gender assigned at birth) is natural and normal. However, this is not true, as there are other genders that also fall under the cisgender category. It is important to note that sexual orientation and gender identity are two different things. Sexual orientation refers to who someone is attracted to, while gender identity is how one identifies within the gender spectrum. Using the terms “boy” and “girl” reinforces the idea of a binary gender system, which excludes other genders. It is essential to use gender-neutral terms to promote inclusivity.
“Sexual orientation refers to relative sexual attraction to men, to women, or to both. People who are sexually attracted to the same sex (whom we denote as “nonheterosexual”) represent a minority of adults” (Bailey et al., 2016). Following Bailey, I clarify that “cisgender” refers to gender identity, while “straight” refers to sexual orientation. Being cisgender is not the same as being straight, though they may intersect. One can be cisgender and straight or not. That means identifying the sex assigned at birth, although the individual’s gender identity can evolve during adolescence.
Sexual Orientation is a complex term that rings people of all genders, including cisgender individuals.
What is our final understanding of diversity and the gender spectrum, including cisgender and transgender?
The doctor may identify a child as cisgender based on the gender assigned at birth (boy or girl). But they could belong to any gender identity within the umbrella of the gender spectrum.
Discrimination against individuals on the basis of their age, disability, ethnicity, origin, political belief, race, religion, sex or gender, or sexual orientation is unacceptable.
It is essential to avoid all forms of discrimination, including direct and indirect discrimination, structural discrimination, multiple discrimination, majority and minority discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudices.
“You say that the Depressed Classes were not consulted. They consulted me. That is the point. I have visited all parts of India. ‘Why are we called Harijans?’ I am asked. Why should they not have a better name? That is the generality of the feeling. ‘For heaven’s sake, do not call us coolies,’ they pleaded. At one time, this word had a particular significance. A whole race was called by that name. If it was not now used, it does not mean there has come about a change of heart. The offence to the ear has been removed. That is what the new name has achieved. It is not, as I said, my coining. An untouchable pleaded with me not to be known by ‘Suppressed’ reminds me of slavery,” he very rightly said. ‘I have no name to suggest; will you suggest?’ I asked. Then the man suggested ‘Harijan’. He quoted in support of Narasimha Mehta, the Gujarati poet, who had used it in his works. I jumped at it. I also knew the Tamil saying ‘Thikkatravanukku Deivamay Thunai.’ Is not ‘Harijan’ a paraphrase of it? They are God’s chosen who are outcasts. That is what ‘Harijan’ signifies as applied to suppressed classes”(undated, 121, Origin of name Harijan).
During Gandhi’s visit to Madras in December 1933, Harijan leaders expressed their resentment towards the word “Harijan” to Gandhiji. He responded to them by saying:
“You say that the Depressed Classes were not consulted. They consulted me. That is the point. I have visited all parts of India. ‘Why are we called Harijans?’ I am asked. Why should they not have a better name? That is the generality of the feeling. ‘For heaven’s sake, do not call us coolies,’ they pleaded. At one time, this word had a particular significance. A whole race was called by that name. If it was not now used, it does not mean there has come about a change of heart. The offence to the ear has been removed. That is what the new name has achieved. It is not, as I said, my coining. An untouchable pleaded with me not to be known by ‘Suppressed’ reminds me of slavery,” he very rightly said. ‘I have no name to suggest; will you suggest?’ I asked. Then the man suggested ‘Harijan’. He quoted in support of Narasimha Mehta, the Gujarati poet, who had used it in his works. I jumped at it. I also knew the Tamil saying ‘Thikkatravanukku Deivamay Thunai.’ Is not ‘Harijan’ a paraphrase of it? They are God’s chosen who are outcasts. That is what ‘Harijan’ signifies as applied to suppressed classes”(undated, 121, Origin of name Harijan).
I consider all humans to be equal. To ensure diversity and equality in society, I suggest the Education Ministry remove the words “Shudra” and “Dalit” from the dictionary and school curriculum. No human being can be called untouchable, lower caste people, Shudra (নিচু বর্ণের মানুষ) or Dalit.
Even the term “Harijan,” which means people of God, should not be used as it implicitly implies inequality. They are oppressed and minority groups, but they have only one identity, and that is humans. No name-calling is necessary.
I have a proposal for promoting education among adults so that they can understand the concepts of gender, gender spectrum and transgender. Many parents have told me that they believe the BRAC teacher did the right thing, which is painful to see people who are unaware of what gender or transgender means.
Additionally, I suggest that we refrain from referring to transgender individuals as ‘Hijra’ and instead use the term ‘rupantorito linger manush” (Transgender).
The recent peculiar behaviour of the teacher serves as a reminder that all educators must receive training and education on gender issues. In Bangladesh, a new curriculum was recently introduced without establishing a pilot school to experiment with the curriculum and proper teacher development training, causing issues.
About Gender education, it should not only be limited to textbooks. It should be taught to everyone in society, including fathers and mothers.
Gender can be taught through various means, such as scientific explanations, popular education methods, social media, and cartoons.
Teachers should be trained and well-educated on gender and diversity to resolve conflicts and establish peace in society.
It is important to note that Statistics Canada always ensures the privacy and confidentiality of respondents while distributing detailed data. The modifications made in recent times reflect the changing social and legislative recognition of transgender, non-binary and LGBTQ2+ people in general. These modifications are reflective of an evolving acceptance and understanding of gender and sexual diversity.
The Canadian government amended the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Criminal Code in 2017 to protect individuals from discrimination and hate crimes based on gender identity and expression. The data disseminated can be utilized by public decision-makers, employers, and providers of healthcare, education, justice, and other services to better serve the needs of all men and women, including transgender men and women and non-binary individuals in their communities (Statistics Canada, 2021).
Gender issues are a significant challenge for a religious country like Bangladesh. The government needs to do more to ensure the protection of people of all genders. As mentioned earlier, Canada has become the first country to release census data specifically on transgender and non-binary people. This information provides valuable insights into the population of individuals who identify as such, something that has not been available until now. Bangladesh can be the first Muslim country to provide each individual with complete respect and recognition. The government of Bangladesh can take the initiative and follow in Canada’s footsteps.
About the writer:
The author is an anthropologist, sociologist, environmentalist, and peace and conflict resolution educator. She completed PhD research in curriculum and pedagogy (on peace and conflict resolution through science) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.
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