Overview

• Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has sparked controversy by declaring the term 'cisgender' as 'heterophobic'.
• Musk's comments have been met with both support and criticism, with some agreeing that the term is discriminatory, while others argue it is a neutral term used to describe someone whose gender identity matches their sex at birth.
• This is not the first time Musk has made such claims, having previously stated in June 2023 that 'cis' and 'cisgender' are hate speech.
• Musk has been previously criticized for his stance on LGBTQ+ issues, notably when he removed protections against misgendering and deadnaming on X in April 2023.
• There is speculation that Musk's views on transgender rights may be influenced by his personal life, as his teenage daughter, who is trans, has reportedly distanced herself from him.