--- title: "Elon Musk Goes on Transphobic Rant, Says “Cisgender” Now a “Slur” on Twitter" description: "Slurpee In his latest bigoted tirade, Twitter owner Elon Musk is again taking cues from transphobes as he insists that the term \"cisgender\" will now be considered a \"slur\" on the social network. Musk's comments, which may or may not constitute an official Twitter policy, came in response to a user who insisted that he […]" date: "2023-06-21" modified: "2023-06-21" authors: - name: "Noor Al-Sibai" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/nooralsibai" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-cisgender-twitter" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "elon musk" - "the digest" - "transgender" - "twitter" --- # Elon Musk Goes on Transphobic Rant, Says “Cisgender” Now a “Slur” on Twitter ![In his latest bigoted tirade, Elon Musk insists that the term "cisgender" will now be considered a "slur" on Twitter.]() *\Image: Chesnot via Getty / Futurism\* ## Anti-Trans In his latest bigoted tirade, Twitter CEO Elon Musk is again [taking cues from transphobes]() as he insists that the term "cisgender" will now be considered a "slur" on the social network. Musk's comments, which may or may not constitute an official Twitter policy, came in response to a user who insisted that he was targeted by transgender activists for his issues with the term "cis," which refers to someone who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth. "Yesterday, after posting a Tweet saying that I reject the word 'cis' and don’t wish to be called it, I receive \[sic\] a slew of messages from trans activists calling me 'cissy' and telling me that I am 'cis' 'whether or not I like it,'" the [tweet]() from therapy blogger James Esses reads. "Just imagine if the roles were reversed." Although he wasn't tagged directly, [Musk reply-guyed]() the [known transphobe](), insisting that "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," he added. ## "Serious Problems" Later, when a [purportedly-feminist activist responded]() by incorrectly citing a controversial German sexologist for coining the term "cisgender" (which was, it should be noted, [actually coined by researcher Dana Defosse]() in 1994), Musk dug his heels in further. "Yup, the contemptible creep that manufactured the term 'cis' has serious problems," he [tweeted](). "Ignore him." Besides ignoring his own advice, Musk's latest transphobic Twitter spree is yet another example of his deepening bigotry against transgender people — a curious case given not only that his companies have [sponsored LGBTQ Pride events]() in the past, but also that [one of his many children is trans](), though she unsurprisingly wants nothing to do with him or his name. Indeed, he kicked off Pride month this year by saying that he wants to start "[actively lobbying to criminalize]()" sex-reassignment surgeries for children "below the age of consent" — [which is not a thing]() — and [sharing a transphobic disinformation video]() from far-right publication *Daily Wire*. Musk also changed Twitter's policies earlier this year to [allow the misgendering]() of transgender people on the platform, something that could easily lead to bullying. Of all of [Musk's many horrendous takes](), his virulent transphobia is particularly damaging given the very real [transphobic legislation]() being enacted right now, not to mention the [violence]() against the trans community occurring [across the world]() right now. **More on Musk:** [*Elon Musk and Joe Rogan Publicly Harass Vaccine Researcher on Twitter*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've often been drawn to unpacking the narratives that underlie technological, scientific and medical progress, with a special interest in areas of conflict and ambiguity that end up setting agendas and steering the fates of both elites and the hoi polloi. I'm a committed generalist, but I often find myself returning to work involving NASA and the private space sector, the effects of AI on media and society, and the mechanics of the pharmaceutical industry, with a specific focus on the spread of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Prior to Futurism, I worked for publications ranging from Media Matters and Truthdig to Raw Story and Bustle. I'm also the author of "Myspace Scene Queens," a 2024 title in Instar Books' acclaimed "Remember the Internet" series. My work at Futurism has been cited by outlets including the New Yorker, Slate, Nieman Lab, the Verge, the MIT Technology Review, the Sunday Times, and the Daily Beast. I grew up in North Carolina, attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and now live in Brooklyn, New York. In my free time, I'm an avid reader and music fan; you can probably find me at a local poetry reading, concert, underground rave, or DJ set. I'm the proud parent of an ineffable orange cat named Mee-Mow. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()