Gender Identification Requirement! Why?

[ila]

Originally Posted by sesame

In a forum, everyone hides their real identity. We take up non-descriptive names like cat, mat, bat or A, B, C and ply all over the place. It is sometimes uncomfortable to ask someone upfront, Hey, are you a man or a woman or Tg? How many times have you done that?
There are threads asking about your Occupation, Place of Origin or Gender. But its a hard job finding (or remembering if I read it somewhere) those facts for one particular member from hundreds of posts.
Its uncomfortable to chat or commune with someone I know nothing about. Just letting others know my gender doesn't feel like a bust on my privacy. I'm sorry and readily apologise if someone feels otherwise.

Knowing a little about your addressee indeed improves communication.

I still say it is unnecessary to this site and to other users to know what the gender is of any other users.
It is usually possible to determine someone's gender from the posts that a person makes. If you are really unsure of the gender of another and want to know PM said person and ask.
I can't see how knowing anyone's gender makes it any easier to communicate. Just treat all others with the respect that you would like to be treated with and there should be no problem.
In conclusion gender identification is not necessary and is an intrusion on a person's anonymity.