Editorials & Other Articles

bemildred

(90,061 posts) Thu Aug 22, 2013, 01:50 PM Aug 2013

How Not to React to the News That Bradley Manning Is Transgender

This morning's big news story/pounding headache is courtesy of convicted spy Bradley Manning's announcement that she wishes to live the rest of her life as a woman/the internet's predictably shitty response to that announcement, respectively.

First, the news: Manning announced today via a letter to the Today Show that she wishes to begin hormone therapy and live the rest of her life as Chelsea Manning. Here's her statement, in part, courtesy of the Guardian,

As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun (except in official mail to the confinement facility). I look forward to receiving letters from supporters and having the opportunity to write back.

During her trial, Manning's defense team claimed that she had suffered from "gender identity disorder" throughout most of her life; her decision to undergo hormone therapy shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who was paying attention. And no matter what your stance on Manning's role in leaking documents, it's hard to argue with the fact that the timing of her transition — right before entering a men's prison to serve a 35-year sentence — puts Manning in the lines of some pretty harrowing and unconscionable scenarios.

http://jezebel.com/how-not-to-react-to-the-news-that-bradley-manning-is-tr-1182604480

Pissing up a rope, I know, but gotta try ...

6 replies

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How Not to React to the News That Bradley Manning Is Transgender (Original Post) bemildred Aug 2013 OP

Thanks for posting this enlightenment Aug 2013 #1

We try, but some of those comments ... nt bemildred Aug 2013 #3

Make my skin crawl . . . nt enlightenment Aug 2013 #5

I agree, but I think a single "he" before permanently transitioning to the use of "she/her" hlthe2b Aug 2013 #2

It really has no bearing on her case get the red out Aug 2013 #4

Fuck them and fuck their jeers. Everybody has a right to be who they are. bemildred Aug 2013 #6

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)

1. Thanks for posting this

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Thu Aug 22, 2013, 02:04 PM

Aug 2013

But you're right - it's pissing up a rope. At least half of those reactions has already cropped up on DU.

Maybe this will forestall the rest . . .

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

3. We try, but some of those comments ... nt

Reply to enlightenment (Reply #1)

Thu Aug 22, 2013, 02:10 PM

Aug 2013

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)

5. Make my skin crawl . . . nt

Reply to bemildred (Reply #3)

Thu Aug 22, 2013, 02:34 PM

Aug 2013

hlthe2b

(102,379 posts)

2. I agree, but I think a single "he" before permanently transitioning to the use of "she/her"

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Thu Aug 22, 2013, 02:08 PM

Aug 2013

throughout the rest of what is written and in the future--is sort of understandable, merely for clarity, (with perhaps an editor's note that from hereon, per editorial policy, Manning would be referred to as she self-identifies using female pronouns).

get the red out

(13,468 posts)

4. It really has no bearing on her case

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Thu Aug 22, 2013, 02:28 PM

Aug 2013

I dread withstanding the jeers from the right; no matter what one thinks about her guilt or innocence, having to listen to the RW perspective on this will be dreadful.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

6. Fuck them and fuck their jeers. Everybody has a right to be who they are.

Reply to get the red out (Reply #4)

Thu Aug 22, 2013, 02:35 PM

Aug 2013

Not some painful approximation imposed by their "betters" "for their own good".

They show us who they are when they jeer. We should listen and see.

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