** I think there are people on both "sides" who take it a bit too personally, and react emotionally. Some of us too often let the extreme dictate how we see people on both sides. So, I'd like to share my observations from a neutral standpoint if I may. Hheheh.
Ideally, if someone is brave enough to, they will politely ask you to address them differently. I definitely see this as your choice. You can either oblige, or choose not to. Fortunately, in a social setting you are not required to spend time with someone whose pronoun you aren't comfortable with, anyway. If you work with them, or find yourself in a situation where you absolutely must address them in some way, it may be a good idea to make use of their name. You do not have to compromise your values (whatever values you find to be incongruent with what they've asked of you) to keep the shared environment a friendly one. Of course you might slip up, it will happen. That's absolutely fine. As long as you're trying to meet someone where they stand, I don't think there is any call for conflict on your end, or theirs.
Which leads me to explain, I don't think accidentally addressing someone with a pronoun they're uncomfortable with should be seen as a deliberate attack on that person's being/identity. After all, it was a mistake. A positive change is difficult to make if someone is on the defensive.
There's also a ratio to be kept in mind here. Most people in these situations (on both sides) don't get offended. In a public setting, most won't even tell you that you've used a pronoun that makes them uncomfortable, because they want to avoid conflict with you or bystanders. However, we're more likely to only hear from those who are outspoken (like our encounters on the internet, because most of the people using the internet are just silently watching, while the extremists take the floor, and elect themselves as the voice of reason for their cause.) Which is why most of our perceived encounters of this nature are likely to be negative ones.
As you may already know, some languages don't use gender specific pronouns in their every-day. Growing up around someone who had just come from the Philippines, I was often called "he" by accident. Because the concept of using gendered pronouns in casual conversation can be hard to pick up at first. Just as it is for us, trying to use gender neutral pronouns.
Anyway, those are my observations.
** I'm only addressing the issue of interactions between the groups. Not addressing the validity of gender neutrality. I'm not sure the Newgrounds General Forum is the best place to facilitate that type of conversation.
