Why is a gender required?

[Hoichi]

Really, gender is not the same as sex. Sex is biological and gender is social and mental. I could have a female sex and a male gender.

I know that you can hide gender on this board but, like sexuality, it is meaningless and shouldn't really come up in conversations that much; infact all the ''coming out'' is pointless as sexuality (and gender which it is related to or the same thing depending on the field of study) shouldn't affect anyone's right or equality.

I don't know. Maybe I am just trying to think about stuff a bit too much?

[sontaran]

I to thought it was a bit odd. I logged in and it told me that I must select a gender. If you can hide it then whats the point of having to tell. Is it just so admin can find out if you are a man or women?
Why would an admin need to know that anyway?

[Hoichi]

He is on the hunt for a bit of romance? Joking.

I really don't understand some of the things that proboards ask for and I especially don't think that gender is anyone else's business online, really. I guess I am thinking about this easy too hard...maybe I should just slide into a nice cup of green tea!