When I think "LiveJournal," I think "bad decisions"

[roadrunnertwice]

Okay: I am offended. LiveJournal is making disclosure of gender mandatory at account creation time, and is removing the "unspecified" option from the gender field. Yes, LJ, our transgender and genderqueer friends absolutely need more contempt and petty unpleasantness in their lives. Thank you for stepping up to supply it. There's more at the link, including an email address for someone high up in the LJ corporate structure. Here's what I sent her:

I was tipped off to the contents of this change to the codebase (http://community.livejournal.com/changelog/7932846.html) tonight, and I think it's a rotten one. Making gender disclosure mandatory at account creation is offensive, and so is removing the "unspecified" option. I shouldn't have to explain why.

This policy is meanspirited and low. You should seriously consider reversing it.

EDIT: Looks like they're about-facing? Okay, good.