aitah for not calling myself a “cis-girl”

The original poster (OP), a 17-year-old female, recently declined romantic advances from a male student at her school because he is transgender, stating that she is not attracted to transgender people. This initial rejection led to a confrontation with some mutual friends who accused the OP of being homophobic or transphobic.

The conflict reignited when an 18-year-old friend, Nadia, brought the topic up again, leading to a lengthy debate over labels like ‘ally’ and ‘cis.’ The discussion escalated when the OP resisted being labeled ‘cis’ or needing to preface her identity as a girl, which Nadia interpreted as implying that transgender girls are not real girls. The OP is now confused about her position and why her insistence on simply being called ‘a girl’ is causing friction.

aitah for not calling myself a “cis-girl”

I’m 17f. A few weeks ago or something, a boy at my school was trying to get with me, but I respectfully declined because he was trans and I’m not attracted to trans people. Some of his friends/some of our mutual friends tried to call me homophobic or transphobic or whatever for rejecting him, and this kind of started an argument because I said I’m not anything phobic since being straight isn’t a choice the same way being trans isn’t.

Then the other day, my “friend” Nadia (18f) brought it up again, even though the whole thing was literally over and started a whole debate. And I literally just said “I’m not homophobic.” And so then we had a whole back and forth like:

Nadia: “Then are you an ally?”

Me: “I don’t know. I think that everyone deserves rights, so I guess so”

Nadia: “Well do you identify as an ally?”

Me: “I don’t really identify as anything, I’m a girl who likes boys.”

Nadia: “Sooo you identify as a cis girl then”

Me: “No, just a girl.”

Nadia: “Well are you trans?

Because if you’re not then you’re cis”

Me: “Why do I need to put cis in front of it??? I was born a girl, I’ve always been a girl, so I’m just a girl.“

And then Nadia said that I was totally transphobic and a performative activist that probably didn’t even care about trans rights. I didn’t really think so but her and some other ppl are saying that I’m implying that “trans girls aren’t real girls”.

Idk, aita???

Here’s how people reacted:

begging4n00dz

Saying you’re not attracted to trans people is like saying you’re not attracted to diabetic people, there’s nothing about being trans that makes you look or act in some way. So yeah it’s a little weird to say you aren’t attracted to a whole group of people with a medical condition. You’re still not required to date anyone, but if you’d reject some one you’re otherwise interested in because you find out they’re trans then you may have some shit to work through.

You are a cis lady, that is the default state of the human body that everyone starts at. This does not make you the norm though, that doesn’t mean people who deviate from you are not normal as well.

Often it feels like a personal attack when our biases and views are challenged, but if we take these challenges as room to grow and embolden our understanding then we become unshakable.

KalePyro

Everyone Sucks here.

The Randoms are AH for taking a simple rejection and escalating it to “you’re homophobic, you’re transphoic” when you’re allowed to have a preference (cis men)

Nadia is an AH for picking a fight about it and once again escalating.

You are an AH because, yes, you are a cis girl. Refusing to acknowledge that basic fact is what makes you come off transphobic. It doesn’t make you more or less a girl, it’s just a more descriptive term. It’s like how there are Apple smartphones, and Android smartphones. Both are smartphones and you would be considered ignorant for going “No I don’t have an Apple smartphone, I just have a smartphone” (idk what actual phone you have I’m just trying to put it in other terms, replace Apple with android if you have an android)

Lilith_of_Night

Just stop telling people it’s because they were trans. No it’s not transphobic to not like someone because they don’t have the parts you’re attracted to, but it’s also not polite either. It’s like if you thought someone was really ugly and they asked you out, would you tell them or others “Oh I said no because I think they’re just so ugly” or would you just say “I don’t like them that way”.

You need to learn more about this stuff because a lot of what you’re saying, while good intentioned and a lot of people will understand what you mean, it’s still questionable and can sound really bad to people who don’t understand what you’re trying to say.

Ok_Space_3835

Youre not anything phobic for having a preference you dont have to be into trans men. I will add though if it ever happens again just say you are not attracted to them like they are any other person itll probably save yourself from anyone trying to start nonsense issues again. For the cis thing theres nothing wrong with just saying yes it is just a scientific and medical term so yes you are a cis girl. It basically just means you are what you were assigned at birth.
Odyssey-85

Anyone who tries to divide people is up to no good. Them asking if you are an ally or not means they percieve anyone else as an enemy. That is radical thinking and evil. They unironically are destroying their movement at the same time because even if it is a good cause it is being pushed by low iq people trying to pressure you into their life style. Labels and groups are for weak people that need a group to feel secure. I would avoid these people like the plague.
mattemer

There’s a difference between these statements:

– I’m not attracted to that person
– I’m not attracted to someone who is trans
– I don’t want to be intimate with someone who is trans bc XYZ.

Just bc someone is trans shouldn’t mean they are not inherently unattractive. Sometimes you can’t even tell. If I’m looking at a woman that used to be a man but she’s hot, well she’s hot. End of story. Who cares what she used to be that doesn’t change what I’m seeing now.

VanGoghX

You’re attracted to what you’re attracted to. Just because you’re not personally attracted to white, black, brown, yellow, etc. people doesn’t make you racist against those other races. You’re still cool with them as humans, right? Or what if you’re not into buff body builders on one end or wafer thin people on the other? It’s okay to be turned on by whatever particular kind of people turn you on.

You’re all good! 👍🏻

Fun_Willingness_5615

For me personally I am not having a relationship with a trans girl, feminist girl or a drug addict. Especially the first two. You can call me any phobic or gynist you like I couldn’t care any less. But yeah everyone should 100% have their rights and we can always be friends but dating-wise it’s a polite no for me.
theupside2024

Just ignore this stuff. It’s not about the genders or trans. It’s just drama. None of it means anything. If it wasn’t this there would be another attack about something else. Best thing to do it ignore it and raise above it. This type of immature behavior is just girl drama you don’t need in your life.
pssshhhthatsabsurd

No you’re absolutely not the asshole. You’re just a “girl”. The words cis is made up by certain people of the alphabet community to make them self feel better. Trans people are trans people, you’re just a girl. Don’t let yourself get pushed in a corner like they want to be if you don’t want to.
daedalus-64

Trans girls *arent* real girls. So you would be ok to imply that or even outright say it.

Downvote me, idgaf, its the truth. I love all people but trans women are no more women than i am the fucking hulk, just cause i got jacked on roids and painted myself green. HULK SMASH!!💥 like ok bro

Acceptable_You_1199

Absolutely not. Other peoples’ views and opinions have no impact or reflection on you. The problem these days isn’t what people think or feel, but them trying to force those things on other people.
punk-pastel

It’s OK if you aren’t attracted to trans folks. Whatever folks do in their bedrooms is their own business.

Just treat everyone, trans or not, with respect and kindness.

Fragrant-Outside-996

well nadia is right, you are cis lol?? cis just means you identify with whatever you were born as. it isn’t that deep, but yta for this obvious bait lmaooo
Machinedgoodness

No ignore that bullshit. It’s a useless mind virus for insecure people trying to virtue signal that they’re important. Please don’t fall into that mindset.
eatkakeandcill

I like the label “self-defined female” make it whatever label you want if they’re going to insist on assigning you one… lets see the ally’s ally 👏👏👏
SWANDAMARM

It’s like wings. Just cause they now have boneless wings doesn’t mean I have to call regular wings “bone in”

They’re just wings…

Ok_Competition_2150

Tell them you are an organic female. No additives, no preservatives, non-GMO. Just the way nature made you.
Jordan_the_Hutt

Yeah you’re fine. You can tell people that your identity is your business just as theirs is their own.
LetTheJamesBegin

Sounds like you’re being misgendered. Who are they to demand what pronouns you identify with?
Arunia

NTA in any way. You dont want to date them for whatever reason. People. Sigh.
CandidateReasonable4

NTA. I refuse to accept the term cis-woman. I am a woman. Period.
perro_420-

No you’re not wrong for standing up for yourself.
Heykurat

Just keep saying “No means no.”
zuwumiez

Me when I like making things up

Conclusion

The core conflict for the OP centers on the tension between her personal sexual orientation and her refusal to adopt specific identity labels suggested by her peer group, specifically the term ‘cis.’ While the OP asserts she believes in equal rights, she struggles with the social expectation to perform her identity or use terminology that feels unnecessary or defining to her experience as a cisgender woman.

The central question remains whether the OP’s rejection of the ‘cis’ label, rooted in a desire for simplicity about her identity as someone who was born and has always identified as a girl, constitutes transphobia, or if her friends are placing undue pressure on her to conform to specific activist language standards. The debate hinges on the difference between holding respectful beliefs and adhering to required linguistic frameworks.

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