I agree to your points about gender and nationality. I wouldn'T want it either.

However I don't see any problem with hierarchies tbh, as long as they are friendly... In martial arts for example you have very clear hierarchies and this helps you discern who knows the ropes and who can give you good advice etc. though it's no guarantee of course. The same applies here.

I'm not for or against an extra symbol, I don't really care. Because whether there is one or not, it implies the same "rank". The lack of the symbol has the same place in the hierarchy as would the symbol.