Should all gender identities be accepted?

Andrew (Yes)

Identity is self-referential, meaning that however one identifies is how they are. It simply isn't up to others to define how an individual can or should identify. Just as we all have the freedom to dress as we like, associate with those we find agreeable, and live the lifestyles we prefer, all people have the right to express their self-identity without repression or denial from others.

Gender is a fluid social construct, and every person has a different experience of what their gender means to them. There are far more ways to experience gender than the simple binary, and society should recognize and accept these modes of expression to accurately reflect its citizens' makeup. Further, accepting all people simply as they are costs society nothing and causes harm to no one. On the contrary, welcoming all individuals as they are keeps people from being pushed to the fringes of society and allows society to be more open and accepting. Having the freedom to express oneself exactly as desired is the hallmark of freedom and individual liberty in society.

Whether publicly accepted or not, transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid people exist in the world. By accepting all forms of gender identity, we can ensure that all human beings are treated with the respect and equality they deserve. If we deny their gender identity, it becomes too easy to write them off as something other than human, a condition that can lead to a range of negative outcomes, from discrimination to hate crimes. 

Lizz (No)

The notion of there being multiple 'gender identities' arose out of transgenderism—the illogical idea that a person's identity can defy their own body. Rejecting endless 'gender identities' stems from the conviction that lies should never be accepted by society, as it harms everyone involved. 

No one has a right to make others believe or affirm falsehoods, and this push in society by the activist class to accept gender ideology is most dangerous to women and girls, who are violently silenced and called names for rightly questioning the notion that penised individuals can somehow really be 'women.' Gender identity has erased single-sex spaces for women, fair competition within women's sports, and even women as a legally distinct and protected class. Even women's prisons are forced to host men with a 'female gender identity.' An increasing number of crimes are committed against women in what should be women-only spaces. 

The upward trend of young people identifying as a different sex/gender than their biology has sharply increased. This alarming rise shows how gender identity is a social contagion rather than a natural occurrence. Gender ideology also contributes to and depends on rigid gender stereotyping, creating a harsher environment for those who are gender-nonconforming or gay, who often defy traditional gender stereotypes. This mistake in identity leads to the permanent medicalization of people who pursue risky surgeries and hormone treatments that leave non-reversible effects on the body.

When people fall victim to this belief system, they may develop gender dysphoria and depression. While society has become more accepting, the corresponding suicide rate hasn't declined. With rising suicides and attempts, along with the medical harm done to trans people, accepting all gender identities is hurting, not helping, people.