[quote]I do, however, understand your complaint when it's a blatantly careless labeling for the sake of being different--the people who do that are abusing the identity for special snowflake purposes, but the line isn't particularly clear between a special baby and a genuinely transgender character whose gender identity simply has little effect IC. Since that's the case, perhaps give characters like that the benefit of the doubt since there's no issue to be had, honestly.[/quote]

This is the same issue I have encountered before, or even read into abroad. It isn't that there's anything wrong with being a transgender character, let alone person - that is not the debate - it is that there are those making it almost a trend. It is not an integrated element of the character, it is a throwaway concept that's being handled poorly by some as an excuse to "be different" when characters are perceived as "too normal".

Benefit of the doubt and the sort yes, but it leaves the wrong impression when there are those who use elements like this as crude character tools, rather than elements of personality. At least when it is becoming a notable, steady increase.

It is not a request to, "Hey, play up elements of your gender 'type'." so much as it is, "You put this down on a character sheet. Incorporate it."