What do "gender people" gain by forcing others to use "their pronouns"? Is this just a power move?

submitted by RatherSmallPotato from (self.whatever)

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[–]happysmash27 3 insightful - 3 fun3 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 3 fun -  (4 children)

Not being uncomfortable being called something they don't identify with, of course. Would you like to be referred to by pronouns of the opposite gender?

[–]RatherSmallPotato[S] 7 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Biology exists.

[–]happysmash27 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Gender identity also exists. I'm not making any claim about whether it is valid or not, but explaining why transgender people prefer that one uses such pronouns from their own viewpoint, because that is what your post appeared to ask for.

[–]Tom_BombadilBombadildo 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

What about the non-gender pronouns?

Should others be forced to learn a spectrum of inorganic, and arbitrary labels?

[–]happysmash27 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I don't think people should be forced to use certain language; in my opinion this is more of a matter of politeness, and a gender-neutral pronoun is pretty polite in all cases. I've recently read this article by Richard Stallman today, and I have to agree with his point there:

There are those who claim that we have an obligation to refer to someone using whatever pronouns person might choose. I disagree with that position, on grounds of principle and grounds of practice. I think we should respect other people's gender identification, but which pronouns we use for any particular gender identification is a separate matter — a matter of grammar. We do not owe it to anyone to change our grammar according to per wishes.