"Add Gender to Profile Info?" Topic

One of our members contacted me today, regarding the fact that I referred to that person as 'he/him' in a forum post.

One way to resolve this problem in the future is to give members the opportunity to declare a gender on their Profile pages, and then to ask people to respect their wishes when posting on the forums.

The options would presumably be:
he/him
she/her

What do you think?

Seriously? We're bringing that divisive topic in here too?

I really don't see the point of adding gender at all, not unless you want an alphabet soup of categories, with everyone wanting their own personal fabrication represented.

For the record, I don't even want my own gender ("he") represented. Because here in TMP land you guys can call me anything you want. You can even call me "it". Just don't call me late for dinner. If Cacique Caribe was my real name then I would care a little bit about what gender you picked for me.

Dan

As I said, I'm responding to a member's complaint.

Then I vote against anything new being introduced because of that ridiculous complaint. These are fake names/handles, for goodness' sake.

Dan
PS. Now, if this was a dating site, that would be a whole different matter. :)

There is too much responding to a few isolated sensibilities going on right now. If you're looking for votes, I vote no.

I guess the one complaining member is already outvoted?

I think the TMP "bug" is a bigger existential threat. This is nothing but distraction.

Dan

No.

No – how many choices are you planning on having? "In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri. And all dared to brave unknown terrors, to do mighty deeds, to boldly split infinitives that no man had split before"

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a Meat Popsicle!

NO

The world should not be complaint driven.
If someone complains, it may be valid, but it may be not.

I think this one is invalid, we are here to talk about gaming, not indulge in political correctness!

Why?

More pot-stirring I think. Someone needs more drama?

Dan

NO

Nope!

No

Unless anyone is concerned that the information might be used for discriminatory purposes, and if it was optional then what harm would it do?

If the troll wants to assign themselves a gender they can use an honorific in crafting their username…saving us the indignity of an unforgivable social blunder or wastng time having to look it up.

….same goes for those trying to impress us with their status of nobility or educational credentials….or their current position in corporate hierarchy.

No.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com

You may call me it,shim or heshe. Absolute nonsense.

NO to the P.C nonsense.

Let's see.

So far it's 15 to 1 who say NO.

Plus there's the one lone "Meat Popsicle" reply. ;)

Dan

No.

No

No. We *both* post under this ID. We don't usually specify which of us is posting. How are we supposed to declare to a particular binary gender marker?

Only if you have 47 different choices and bathrooms to match.

No need, really.

Oh hell no

No. And when I'm ignored on "gender" no the proposed half-dozen sub-categories.

If someone is concerned about being addressed using the wrong term for gender, then one presumes their username/id does not readily point to a gender.

The proper solution is as noted above to use a username that does.

I'll add a NO as well

YouTube link

NO. NO. NO. An exceptionally poor idea, cringeworthy.

No, but if anyone is bored by existing choices you may address me as "Grand Imperial Poo Bah of the Cosmos," without giving offense.

Sneakgun: "Only if you have 47 different choices and bathrooms to match."

That's heresy!

Everyone knows there are only 32 officially recognized ones. And you BETTER make sure you memorize them all, and that you always use them correctly, or you will be DHd or publicly shamed.

Dan

No

Just refer to posters by their user name, no gender required, problem solved.

Well I do find it a little interesting that many on TMP don't even put their real name, location, etc. In their profile. I know I had nothing to hide, and still don't. I put my name, location, etc. … not thinking anything "bad" could come of it. Of course I was wrong.

I thought, why not, what negatives could come from a site like this ? Primarily about adults(?) playing with toys. Never really ran into , etc., types on any other sites, up to the point of jointing TMP.

So one's gender could be falsified as well, in one's profile. For what reason(s) I can't imagine, but I was wrong about this sort of "openness"/"glasnost" before here. So who knows ?

I do know the few females on here seem to use their real names, e.g. Shirley comes to mind. However, one TMPer, IIRC goes by Queen something … which is fine.

One should be able to generally use any screen name they like. But I may be wrong, it happens often here. But I took that to be a female(?). And at this point, I'm not sure ? But again, who cares if posts are civil, friendly, provides some interest, use, etc. to members here.

So I'd think gender ID does not need to be in a profile. But some may find it of use … and hopefully not misuse it … But again, I've been wrong before dealing with "the good, the bad & the ugly" of TMP.

**Disclaimer : I find more and more here I must post some sort of "caveat", etc. to my posts. And in turn the post becomes longer, etc. As with the , etc. that roam here and the net in general. If I don't go into more detail or "explanation" in my posts. I get, in some cases a lot of "flak", etc., follows.

Regardless, I'm not pointing a finger at Bill for this "environment" that has devolved in some cases here. And I can see recently, I believe, Bill has finally got a little tired of all the vitriol, contempt, derisiveness, etc. I know I have.

Bill as always said, if you don't like someone or something they post, etc., hit the Stifle or Ignore "button". And no one is forced to go to any thread or read any posts, etc. And really what could I or anyone else say. That really could be something one must/has to hear/read ? That would make any real difference in the real world as opposed to the "faux" universe of the net ? 0 I'd think … absolute 0 …

But of course, the , etc., types couldn't have any "fun", etc., if they couldn't attack someone instead of civilly discussing the message. It's more to their liking to attack the messenger than the message, it seems.

I vote No as it is really not needed for the type of website that this is.

I will say that I am rather surprised with the venom some who expressed a no vote added to their comments. I simple No would suffice without all the vitriol. There are real things in this world to get worked up over as opposed to expressing disdain for a fellow hobbyist we may be more sensitive to a topic than the majority.

To put it more succinctly: Chill out people.

If you care about which gender people are posting to describe you answering your posts then use your name like Dan when you post.

Now Dan may actually be a lady (or whatever) but since this is the internet and I cannot be bothered to find out, I'm going to assume he is a man…..actually unless you point it out I'm generally going to assume most posters on TMP are male.

I'm going to assume he is a man…..actually unless you point it out I'm generally going to assume most posters on TMP are male.

Obviously … And I agree with your logic progression totally there Earl.

But as we see on the net … there is always some who may see the obvious as "contrary", offensive, or otherwise, etc. It is somewhat like a case of, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". As generally all may not see that as the same. But again, I agree with you Earl !

No. I couldn't care less about other members' gender and the pronoun thing has written all over it.

LT

Negative.

No(but I'm really a girl).

Yay for female gamers !!

No

Since everyone else is saying no. I say yes. Really don't see the harm truthfully. Other then old white men still living in the 60s and yelling at the kids to get off the rock they live under, this is the 21st century afterall. Be happy, not mad.

Make it optional.
And make it write in like your name.
That way you don't need to add options. If you wa the to be male. Write that, female write that. Lord bucket head write that.

But I don't see how it would solve the original problem. I generally don't go into profiles before I reply to or refer to them.

Pointless waste of time and energy. I for one just assume everyone else in a given online conversation is a poorly programmed AI, so gender ceases to be relevant.

That is a somewhat "disturbing" thought ! It appears many including myself may fall into that category …