# Do the existing rules prohibit people from debating the gender of people who identify as transgender?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-existing-rules-prohibit-people-from-debating-the-gender-of-people-who-identify-as-transgender/927272>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [December 5, 2020, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-existing-rules-prohibit-people-from-debating-the-gender-of-people-who-identify-as-transgender/927272 "2020-12-05T05:45:56Z")\
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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2020, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-existing-rules-prohibit-people-from-debating-the-gender-of-people-who-identify-as-transgender/927272/190 "2020-12-07T10:31:00Z")

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> [@octopus](#):
>
> I just think you can’t reconcile the two different visions of this place at least in P&E and Great Debates. The nature of those two forums, unless they are neutered completely and become farcical, means contentious issues ranging from infanticide, euthanasia, discussions of war, genetic engineering, the value of human life, etc. are going to be debated from different sets of unresolvable moral axioms.

Two (or more) people can continue to dissgree due to starting from “different sets of unresolvable moral axioms” yet do so politely, without insults, without demeaning the other side of the debate. Not all debates will be resolved, nor do they have to be. I enjoy discussing topics with people of vastly differing opinions but I don’t enjoy dogpiling, bullying, threats, and words intended to cause deliberate offense during such a debate. We have had very cordial debates on contentious topics. Unfortunately, more often such cordial exchanges are hijacked by one or two jerks who refuse to behave.

It is, however, possible to have a thread on trans gender issues play out between opposing opinions without it devolving into a total train wreck. I will now point to a thread of that sort which, while at spots it got heated, did not wind up locked or require mod intervention:

> [@Transgender toddlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-toddlers/841597):
>
> Theres probably no subject that hasn’t been discussed here, so forgive me if theres already one on this subject. I recently went to a PFLAG meeting and one of the guests mentioned their 3 year old grandchild, and said they were transgender, and the parents are being supportive. I am thinking 3 is too young to decide something like this, isn’t it? When I was 3, I used to pretend I was a dog sometimes. Should children this young be guided to this decision, which they could possibly regret? can…

So yes, we CAN have a discussion of these issues without it completely imploding, exploding, going sideways, or otherwise requiring a lock or driving the mods crazy. We SHOULD be able to discuss contentious issues, but it requires everyone involved to be an adult.

Not that that thread was perfect, I think we could (potentially) do even better than that, but it is an example of having an actual discussion.

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