I don't think anyone is saying if you don't have the gear you can't complete Titan. The past has shown that AF+DL or bikini + relic CAN beat titan. It's just that 90% of the people who play FFXIV aren't as skilled as those players. So having a minimum gear requirement would give a bigger buffer for people who aren't as skilled. And from my experience, most of the AF+i55 weapon people are the first to die.

And from my understanding the gear check WON'T BE MANDATORY FOR FULLY FORMED PARTIES. Therefore, it shouldn't affect the people who want the 'challenge'. They just need to make their own group.

For Yandere: Most (not all) people aren't saying you're being carried, it just makes the fight overall easier for everyone collectively if you're geared. That's all. More room for mistakes, no 'one mess up and you wipe' mentality. If you're geared enough you CAN take a bomb that you lagged during and live. Or possibly a double plume. It's just a greater chance of success.