M2. I'm a moderator. I often have to refer to other users, I can't choose which ones I have to refer to, and often it isn't feasible to avoid pronouns. So do I really have to use pronouns I find uncomfortable?
Yes
I read this as "compelled speech" for moderators -- i.e., "yes, moderators really do have to use pronouns even if they did find that uncomfortable".
Speech isn't so compelled for users -- who, per the "Is there really no alternative?" question, might be allowed to avoid talking about 3rd parties altogether, and/or avoid using pronouns.
Unless you take a "don't ask, don't tell policy" with moderators (i.e. so moderators don't have to declare whether they're willing to) -- which, I'd guess you will -- I read this as saying that moderators are now officially required (by SE) to be willing to use pronouns and neopronouns and that their not being willing to would be contrary to the CoC.
People have contradicted this "bright line" and equivocated on this subject before, posting comments to say that moderators aren't compelled -- with other people posting other comments to contradict that -- which I found to be obfuscation and therefore slightly annoying and a waste of time.
The lack of clarity on that specific subject seemed deceptive, wishy-washy or incompetent -- how could you not be clear?
Still it seems to be clear now.
Unless you change that "Yes" there to a "No" -- which you haven't -- I don't see another way to read it.
