I really don't think anybody is talking about government control or incarceration. I don't think you could even be fired, fined or expelled for something like this, so I think the talking about slippery slopes is quite the overreaction. It's pretty much people (and some institutions and organizations) engaging in free speech and reaction to speech they find offensive. I see nothing wrong with that and this doesn't and can't really limit your freedom to talk about others with whatever pronouns you want. Of course, if they are unhappy with your choices, they can react, but it only gets us to the topic of free speech vs. offense.
I personally don't see it as a burden to make accommodations to use gender neutral language if possible or reasonable and the clothes thing doesn't really bother me at all. I don't see what's the problem with mixing it up in whatever way people feel like.
And if we are talking about some problematic issues with all-boy or all-girl school, I'd say that the exisence of such outdated institutions is a much bigger issue than the fact that a student in the boys' school would like to wear a skirt.
edit: and please do not give me any more votes until at least next year!
I'm sorry but I can oblige ;) When I read something I enjoy, I'm going to vote for it and it's inspiring to me that you are doing this challenge so I want to support. I can hold off on the percentages for a bit, but that's the most I'm ready to give up ;)
I think we are on the same 'side'. I see no burden in affording to each the right to wear what he wants or say what he wants, even if that offends me.
I am fiercely pro free speech and my problem is with allowing the state to decide and propagate the language that is allowed or not allowed.
Besides, whether or not changing language can change attitudes is surely debatable
I will leave you with these 3 links.
https://nypost.com/2016/05/19/city-issues-new-guidelines-on-transgender-pronouns/ http://dailysignal.com/2017/10/06/california-can-now-jail-people-for-misusing-gender-pronouns/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5073511/Teacher-suspended-praising-pupil-using-wrong-gender.html
I'm sorry but I can oblige ;) When I read something I enjoy, I'm going to vote for it and it's inspiring to me that you are doing this challenge so I want to support. I can hold off on the percentages for a bit, but that's the most I'm ready to give up ;)
Yer a gas man! Thanks.
I never really doubted we're on the same side really. Regulating how you can address somebody is a bit much, I totally agree. But we should also notice that the fines are possible only if "malicious intent" is proven and that's a hard thing to prove and a much more substantial legal burden than just using an unwanted pronoun. So to get a fine, they need to prove that you used the wrong pronouns with the specific purpose of harassing the person.
In the other cases, it needs to be clear that codes of conduct that can be enforced at a particular workplace are neither law, nor government regulation and as many other things, crimes are not the only reason one could be suspended or fired.
Of course, pointing out overreactions is important, like with the links you shared here.