Cis-gender privilege

This exercise works best in groups of 10-20 people, but has been done in smaller groups too. If you have a sufficiently big and empty space available, participants can stand in a line next to each other, and with each statement a participant to whom the statement applies takes a step forward. A second option is to sit on chairs and to stand up when a statement applies.

Some words of caution:

• The exercise can lead to self-disclosure of intimate information of participants. Participants might not feel comfortable with the level of self-disclosure. It should be clearly stated that participation is voluntary, and also, that it is up to each participant to decide whether to reply truthfully if this would lead to self-disclosure of information one would rather keep private.
• If you have few or only one trans* or non-binary participant(s), the exercise can highlight the daily oppression and make feel the trans*/non-binary participant(s) exposed in their lack of privilege, which in the worst case can be triggering. Using the standing up method limits exposure somewhat.

To begin with, clarify what privileges are. You can do this via brainstorming followed by a brief discussion and summary, or by giving a statement such as: "Privileges are unearned benefits that someone gains on the basis of their perceived identity. Cisgender means that one has a gender identity which aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. Cis-gender privilege is, therefore, all the unearned privileges that are gained simply for having this alignment."

Before starting, re-state that the exercise can lead to self-disclosure and that participation is voluntary. It is perfectly fine to not participate and simply observe, paying attention to one's own feelings.

After the exercise, a pattern should have developed where most cis-gender participants took many steps forward, while trans and non-binary participants didn't. Discuss what the experience was during the exercise for everyone. What did they feel? What did they learn? Are there privileges they were not aware of having? Are there privileges they realised they did not have compared to other participants?

It might also be an option to first debrief in small groups. This can especially be useful if you have a small group of trans and non-binary participants, who could debrief together to support each other in reflecting on their lack of privilege and resulting oppression.

Below is a list of 19 statements. Read them (or a selected list) and asks participants to either step forward or stand up.

1. Please step forward if you are able to use a public restroom/toilet without fear of violence or harrassment because of your gender identity or perceived gender identity.
2. Please step forward if the gender and name listed on your identity document match your gender identity and name.
3. Please step forward if you can tell others your name without being asked what your "real" or birth name is.
4. Please step forward if you can expect that your health insurance will cover routine doctor's visits for all needed treatment.
5. Please step forward if you feel accepted by all your family members.
6. Please step forward if you are able to meet someone for the first time and do not have to worry that they will use incorrect gender pronouns when speaking to you.
7. Please step forward if people you have just met do not ask you personal questions (including what surgery you have had), personal history and identity.
8. Please step forward if your gender identity has been respected your whole life by doctors, parents, teachers, professors, relatives, classmates, and employers.
9. Please step forward if you have never been fired from a job or not been offered a job due to your gender identity or perceived gender identity.
10. Please step forward if you are able to go through airport security calmly, without fear of being questioned about your gender identity and/or "patted down" by someone of a gender different of yours.
11. Please step forward if you have never had a waiter or waitress or food server incorrectly gender you when you went out to eat.
12. Please step forward if you are able to walk into a department store and feel confident you will not be harrassed for shopping in the women's or men's section.
13. Please step forward if you have never had your basic civil rights denied because of your gender identity.
14. Please step forward if you are able to use a gym locker room or store changing room without fears that you will never be stared at, pointed at, or harrassed.
15. Please step forward if you are able to find mentors and role models who reflect your gender identity.
16. Please step forward if you are easily able to find community services for people with a similar gender identity as yourself.
17. Please step forward if you have your gender as an option on most forms.
18. Please step forward if no one ever asked you when you "knew" that you were your gender.
19. Please step forward if you do not have to worry about old photographs not reflecting your true self.

If you need more statements, an example list of 130+ cis-gender privileges from all areas of life is available at https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/02/130-examples-cis-privilege/ .