Noone's being forced to do anything. Just don't bully people, it's that simple.

I agree, but what about the people who want to bully everyone into caring about their personal idea of themselves?

Block them from the community

>Respect should be earned.

Respect regarding your work, sure. But basic respect for other people is a basic thing that shouldn't have to be "earned."

If you think people asking to go by a set of pronouns is a bridge too far, you're part of this toxic community. Do you go through life calling every single person you met "he/him"? Trans people (and anyone not going by male pronouns) don't like being misgendered, and refusing to not do that, especially when informed via their discord username, is being toxic. If you want to say the Internet belongs to just people with men pronouns, say that, don't strawman behind the "no one cares" nonsense.

Backlash should come in the form of a warning, followed by a block from the community, not in the form of a targeted harassment campaign. I think we can both agree on that, right?

Though in this case the moderators actively engage and promote such toxicity.