New Required Profile Field: Gender

**thankyousir74** · August 7th, 2008, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by PseudoScot

I meant as a gender option! If Koala Kim can pick kitty cat, I want to pick gerbil!

hee I swear I giggled so bad ^____^

**Bene** · August 10th, 2008, 01:05 AM

i kinda like the option of NOT having to fill it out.

**trolleypup** · August 10th, 2008, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Bene

i kinda like the option of NOT having to fill it out.

You and me, both!

**PseudoScot** · August 10th, 2008, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Bene

i kinda like the option of NOT having to fill it out.

That's actually my preference, too. Despite my misinterpreted comment on gerbils.

**bte** · August 11th, 2008, 02:12 AM

I know the kitties/gerbils/cheese options (or lack thereof) are great fun, but isn't there a danger of forgetting the purpose of this profile field?

**wintersun99** · August 11th, 2008, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Bene

i kinda like the option of NOT having to fill it out.

Me too - so I am now

**Wind Dragon** · August 12th, 2008, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by bte

I know the kitties/gerbils/cheese options (or lack thereof) are great fun, but isn't there a danger of forgetting the purpose of this profile field?

Maybe I'm just dense, but what is the purpose of it being required? I originally had "N/A" in that field, on the principle that my gender didn't have anything to do with my hair. When I saw the notice, I dutifully notified the community that I'm female, though since the field wasn't blank to begin with, the system wasn't bugging me about it. I've got "cheese" in there now since it's available, but if I had my 'druthers then I'd really rather have my "n/a" back.

**Bene** · August 12th, 2008, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Wind Dragon

Maybe I'm just dense, but what is the purpose of it being required? I originally had "N/A" in that field, on the principle that my gender didn't have anything to do with my hair. When I saw the notice, I dutifully notified the community that I'm female, though since the field wasn't blank to begin with, the system wasn't bugging me about it. I've got "cheese" in there now since it's available, but if I had my 'druthers then I'd really rather have my "n/a" back.

yeah, that's my point. i'd originally left it as N/A because i really don't believe my sex/gender is relevant. i understand having the alternate options, and i think that's great because it acknowledges the existence of transgendered and intersexed people and i think it's a step in the right direction in normalizing gender status that has long been ignored and overlooked. (i've been a longtime supporter of the LGTB community)

so, i'm all for the progress, and i'm excited that LHC has the courage and decency to include alternate genders, but i don't believe it should be a required field, and while the other options reflect a move in the right direction, the options such as "other" or "cheese" don't reflect the "i don't think it's anyone's business if i have a hoo-hah or a willy or neither or both and i certaintly don't think that this information should be automatically required, because i believe in making it manditory is a step in the wrong direction and leads ppl to making pre-judgements on a person's opinions which can lead to other people validating or disregarding viewpoints because of gender/sex " option.

**Lady Godiva** · August 12th, 2008, 01:09 PM

It may not matter so much for hair topics, but it could matter when discussing off-topic subjects. Say for instance a man pops in to comment on a menstrual thread on the Health & Body Beautiful board, but doesn't make clear his gender. It could cause some confusion to the other posters in the thread, or possible discomfort. Even for less sensitive subjects, perhaps commiserating on a pet's death or saying prayers for someone who asks for them, it might help the respondents picture the person or focus on the individual better.

ETA: I'm not really commenting on the mandatory nature of the recent change, but just how knowing a person's sex might help other members.

**harley mama** · August 12th, 2008, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Godiva

It may not matter so much for hair topics, but it could matter when discussing off-topic subjects. Say for instance a man pops in to comment on a menstrual thread on the Health & Body Beautiful board, but doesn't make clear his gender. It could cause some confusion to the other posters in the thread, or possible discomfort. Even for less sensitive subjects, perhaps commiserating on a pet's death or saying prayers for someone who asks for them, it might help the respondents picture the person or focus on the individual better.

ETA: I'm not really commenting on the mandatory nature if the recent change, but just how knowing a person's sex might help other members.

Well said LG.

If gender a required profile field now, shouldn't it either be male or female as a choice?
Just me

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