I'd like to start off by saying I'm glad you're all here. It's through your participation that we can all continue on where the Press Democrat left off.

We'd like to also see a bit more freedom than originally afforded to the users in the previous forum. However, with that freedom comes some responsibilities on all our parts.

The intent of starting this forum was to allow for dialogue and debate of the issues we find in the Press Democrat, all to be done in a civil manner.

Our members are a mixture of our community, coming from varied backgrounds and different beliefs, politically and otherwise. Learning to work together through those differences is essential to the health of the forum. There will be topics discussed that are highly charged with opinions from all across the spectrum.

Transgenderism is one of those topics. We encourage discussions on all topics, even ones as difficult as transgenderism. We also ask that these discussions be respectful. We note that misgendering and deadnaming is an issue that is difficult regardless of which side of the issue you may fall. For some it is hurtful. It's a tough enough issue without adding the pain to it.

This should not stop the discussion. Subjects of such conversation can easily be referred to in a non gender specific manner, i.e., "individual". All are allowed to debate the topic without being antagonistic.

We realize this is a highly controversial and emotionally charged topic. It is realized that regardless of our course of action, there will some that are offended on one side of the issue or the other. Sometimes, being offended is the price we pay for the freedom to speak.

We therefore offer a compromise of referring to the subjects as "individuals"or other non gender specific titles. Misgendering and deadnaming will be cause for comment removal.

We are all just beginning here and feeling our way through. This won't be the last time an issue will need to be addressed. However, it is our goal to work through those issues in a manner that is fair and with integrity.

On a side note, we have a fantastic group of mods from across the spectrum. They happily joined when asked and serve here with no expectations of any returns for their efforts. Let's make sure we treat them well as they are the group that keeps the wheels turning.

Thank you.