You know.. people on the alt right also "don't buy the definition of racism" of the liberals or the left.. still they are racist anyway..
Sexism is the same thing in that instance. Sexism or transphobia (because you guys also seems to "don't buy my definition" of transphobia , weiiiiird I know.. ) are things that can be objectively statued.
Disrespecting a woman because of her work.. IS sexist.. and that weither you agree with the definition of sexism or not.
The reason (like you said) that "significant part of society didnt approve of this" is because the society is leaving under something well known and research that is called patriarchy (I know.. I know.. you don't believe in soft sciences.. how peculiar). Patriarchy is - weither you like it or not - something that affect all of us me and you included.
Meaning that it's logical that a "significant part of society didnt approve of this" as this is just a testimony that we still have a LONG WAY to go before the end of patriarchy and before Women start getting the respect they deserve.
As I said, not all things human do deserve respect.
It is not about men or women.
Yeah, we have long way to go... into space? Like, Musk advancing rocket science and going to the Moon, Mars, so on.
While, gain of function research labs are being closed or not getting public approval.
By your logic, we are discriminating against researchers involved in gain of function research.
Morals and public acceptance comes first, then modernization.
Next, we will have biologically modified humans, possibly with chips installed in their brains.
That will open up another pandora box.
Again, there are many other ways to gain respect. Sex workers are just prostitutes. Stop glorifying them.