I'm gonna toss this one into the "can't make everyone happy" pile. Some people like gender pronouns, some people don't, some people don't care. If someone is important to you, learn which pronoun they prefer (if they prefer one). If not, it's not like you should be walking on eggshells around every single person in the world for fear of picking the wrong word!
I second this. =)
"Whoever said 'nothing is impossible' never tried slamming a revolving door."