"Google+ shouldn't have an option for gender!'

Hatter

http://gizmodo.com/5819664/xkcd-author-asks-is-google%2B-too-gendered

It's a social networking site. Emphasis on SOCIAL. A social site needs basic information about you in order to filter through large numbers of people. Google+ is no different.

What also bugs me is that, despite Google+ showing off its tolerance cred by giving an "Other" option, people are still bitching about it, saying "People have been KILLED for being genderqueer!" That sucks, but if you want to be completely anonymous, go on 4chan. 

If you want to identify as "pangender" or "genderphobic" or "the gender offender" or "ender of genders," do it on your "about me" box. 

Gelzo

A privacy option for this seems like a fair and simple feature, but yeah, people don't need to make a big deal about this.

Radd

The Ender of Genders? Awesome new title.

Ponicalica

And yet, the only piece of information that is required, besides your name, is your gender.  The fact that your gender is the second-most-important thing on your profile is kind of bizarre.

DYRE

"Google+ shouldn't have an option for gender!'

Isn't the complaint more "Google+ should have an option to not disclose gender!"?

Those are two totally different things.

snowbull

Why exactly would google+ be less evil than facebook?

Hatter

It's their motto. "Don't Be Evil."

ClockworkUniverse

^They got rid of the motto years ago.

GLORIOUSLeader

Well, Google generally has a netter track record than Facebook.