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#REDIRECT ] |
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{{about|media coverage surrounding ]'s announcement on gender identity|the trial|United States v. Manning{{!}}United States v. Manning}} |
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{{Merge to |Bradley Manning|discuss=Talk:Chelsea Manning gender identity media coverage#Merge with Chelsea Manning article|date=August 2013}} |
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] |
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On August 22, 2013, the day after being sentenced by ] under her former name, ], for violations of the ] for leaking the largest set of ] ever released,<ref name="Tate21Aug2013">Tate, Julie. , ''The Washington Post'', August 21, 2013.</ref>{{refn|group=nb|Manning may be released after eight years.<ref>Sledge, Matt. , ''Huffington Post'', August 21, 2013.</ref>}} Chelsea Manning announced that she ] and expressed a desire to undergo ].<ref name=Manningstatement22Aug20132>Manning, Chelsea E. , press release, August 22, 2013.</ref><ref>Stamp, Scott. , NBC ''Today'', August 22, 2013.</ref><ref>Blake, Aaron and Tate, Julie. , ''The Washington Post'', August 22, 2013.</ref>{{refn|group=nb|"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 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). ... Thank you, Chelsea E. Manning"<ref name="Manningstatement22Aug20132"/>}}{{refn|group=nb|"Pvt Manning, who has experienced gender dysphoria and gone through a process of gender questioning and exploration for years, announced that she would like to begin to be known publicly by the name of Chelsea Elizabeth Manning ..."<ref>, Pvt Manning Support Network, August 26, 2013.</ref>}} Following the announcement, media coverage took place regarding how ]s reported about her, specifically in regards to what name and ] to use. |
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==Background== |
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{{R from subtopic}} |
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{{see|Bradley Manning#Background}} |
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{{R from merge}} |
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{{R unprintworthy}} |
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===Gender identity=== |
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}} |
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On April 24, 2010, Manning sent an e-mail to her army supervisor, Master Sergeant Paul Adkins – with the subject line "My Problem" – saying she was suffering from ], and attaching a photograph of herself dressed as a woman. She wrote: |
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<blockquote>This is my problem. I've had signs of it for a very long time. It's caused problems within my family. I thought a career in the military would get rid of it. It's not something I seek out for attention, and I’ve been trying very, very hard to get rid of it by placing myself in situations where it would be impossible. But, it’s not going away; it’s haunting me more and more as I get older. Now, the consequences of it are dire, at a time when it’s causing me great pain in itself ...<ref name=Reeve14Aug2013>Reeve, Elspeth. , ''The Atlantic Wire'', August 14, 2013.</ref></blockquote> |
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Adkins discussed the situation with Manning's therapists, but did not pass the e-mail to a more senior officer; he told Manning's court martial that he was concerned the photograph would be disseminated among other staff.<ref>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', August 13, 2013.</ref> Captain Steven Lim, Manning's commander, said he first saw the e-mail after Manning's arrest, when information about ] was found in Manning's room in Baghdad; at that point Lim learned that Manning had been calling herself Breanna.<ref>Radia, Kirit and Martinez, Luis. , ABC News, December 17, 2011.</ref> |
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Manning told ], an American ] and "]" ], that she had set up Twitter and YouTube accounts as Breanna to give her female identity a digital presence, writing to Lamo: "I wouldn't mind going to prison for the rest of my life, or being executed so much, if it wasn't for the possibility of having pictures of me ... plastered all over the world press ... as boy ... the CPU is not made for this motherboard ..."<ref>Hansen, Evan and Poulsen, Kevin. , ''Wired'' magazine, December 28, 2010.</ref> On April 30 she posted on Facebook that she was utterly lost, and over the next few days wrote that "Bradley Manning is not a piece of equipment," and that she was "beyond frustrated" and "livid" after being "lectured by ex-boyfriend despite months of relationship ambiguity ..."<ref>Nicks 2012, p. 164, and , PBS ''Frontline'', March 2011.</ref> |
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On May 7 she seemed to spiral out of control. According to army witnesses, she was found curled in a fetal position in a storage cupboard; she had a knife at her feet and had cut the words "I want" into a vinyl chair. A few hours later she had an altercation with intelligence analyst Specialist Jihrleah Showman, during which she punched Showman in the face. The brigade psychiatrist recommended a discharge, referring to an "occupational problem and adjustment disorder." Manning's supervisor removed the bolt from her weapon, and she was sent to work in the supply office, although at this point her security clearance remained in place.<ref name=List123/> |
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Ellen Nakashima writes that, on May 9, Manning contacted Jonathan Odell, a gay American novelist in Minneapolis, via Facebook, leaving a message that she wanted to speak to him in confidence; she said she had been involved in some "very high-profile events, albeit as a nameless individual thus far."<ref name=Nakashima4May2011>.</ref> On May 19, according to army investigators, she e-mailed Eric Schmiedl, a mathematician she had met in Boston, and told him she had been the source of the Baghdad airstrike video. Two days later, she began the series of chats with Lamo that led to her arrest.<ref>Dishneau, David and Jelinek, Pauline. , Associated Press, December 19, 2011. |
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* Also see Nicks 2012, p. 164.</ref> She was demoted from Specialist to Private First Class just three days before her arrest on May 27.<ref name=List123>For the storage cupboard, the psychiatrist, and the recommended discharge, see . |
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* For the same incident, see Nicks 2012, pp. 161–163. |
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* For the altercation with the intelligence analyist, see Sanchez, Raf. , ''The Daily Telegraph'', December 18, 2011. |
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* Also see O'Kane, Maggie et al. , and , ''The Guardian'', May 27, 2011.</ref> |
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===Press release from Manning=== |
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On August 22, 2013, the day after sentencing, Manning's attorney issued a press release to the '']'' show announcing that she identifies as female, and asking that the media refer to her by her new name and feminine pronouns: |
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{{quote|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."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://feministing.com/2013/08/22/manning-announces-she-is-transitioning/ | title = Manning announces she is transitioning | accessdate = 2013-08-28 | last = Bayetti Flores | first = Verónica | date = 2013-08-22 | work = Feministing}}</ref>}} |
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==Initial media coverage== |
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Immediate coverage of Manning's request was split. While ], '']'' and the '']'' changed name and pronouns immediately in accordance with Manning's request, many news outlets continued to use the male name and pronouns, including ], ], '']'', the '']'', the '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and the '']''.<ref name="nymag">{{cite news | first = Maureen | last = O'Connor | title = Why Is It So Hard to Call Chelsea Manning ‘She’? | date = 2013-08-22 | url = http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/08/why-is-it-so-hard-to-call-chelsea-manning-she.html | work = New York (magazine) | accessdate = 2013-08-28}}</ref> Within a week, ''The Daily Telegraph''<ref name="thetelegraph">{{cite news | first = Cathy | last = Newman | title = Prison will not be kind to Chelsea Manning | date = 2013-08-23 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10261640/Chelsea-Manning-prison-will-not-be-kind-to-the-WikiLeaks-informer.html | work = The Daily Telegraph | accessdate = 2013-08-29}}</ref> and ''The Times''<ref name="thetimes">{{cite news | first = Alexandra | last = Frean | title = ‘I am Chelsea, I am female’, says soldier formerly known as Bradley Manning | date = 2013-08-23 | url = http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/americas/article3850061.ece | work = The Times | accessdate = 2013-08-29}}</ref> had published stories referring to Manning as female, and ABC, the ''New York Daily News'' and ''Politico'' carried a story from AP using female pronouns.<ref name="apstories">{{cite news | title = New details on Manning's gender change | date = 2013-08-27 | url = http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/manning-lawyer-details-gender-change-20076821?page=2 | work = ABC | accessdate = 2013-08-29}} {{cite news | title = Bradley Manning announces that he wants live as woman, Chelsea | date = 2013-08-27 | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/manning-live-woman-chelsea-article-1.1437959 | work = New York Daily News | accessdate = 2013-08-29}}{{cite news | title = Bradley Manning explains gender change | date = 2013-08-26 | url = http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/bradley-chelsea-manning-gender-change-95928.html | work = Politico | accessdate = 2013-08-29}}</ref> This split in usage itself was reported on in the media.<ref name="msnbc">{{cite news | first = Irin | last = Carmon | title = Who is still calling Chelsea Manning ‘he?’ | date = 2013-08-27 | url = http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/08/27/who-is-still-calling-chelsea-manning-he/ | work = MSNBC | accessdate = 2013-08-29}}</ref> |
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===''New York Times''=== |
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The '']'' reported on Manning's press release, saying "Pfc. Bradley Manning said Thursday that he was female" and continuing to refer to her as "Bradley" and by masculine pronouns throughout the article.<ref>{{cite news | first = Emmarie | last = Huetteman | title = ‘I Am a Female,’ Manning Announces, Asking Army for Hormone Therapy | date = 2013-08-22 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/us/bradley-manning-says-he-is-female.html?_r=0 | work = The New York Times | accessdate = 2013-08-28}}</ref> |
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The same day, the ''Times'' published a follow-up piece by Christine Haughney on how different news outlets have chosen to refer to Manning, in regards to name and pronoun. In the article, she quotes ''Times'' managing editor Dean Baquet, saying "Generally speaking we call people by their new name when they ask us to, and when they actually begin their new lives. In this case we made the judgment readers would be totally confused if we turned on a dime overnight and changed the name and gender of a person in the middle of a major running news story. That’s not a political decision. It is one aimed at our primary constituency – our readers."<ref>{{cite news | first = Christine | last = Haughney | title = ‘He’? ‘She’? News Media Are Encouraged to Change | date = 2013-08-22 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/business/media/he-she-news-media-are-encouraged-to-change.html | work = The New York Times | accessdate = 2013-08-28}}</ref> |
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Also the same day, ''Times'' public editor Margaret Sullivan then released an op-ed on the decision. She quotes deputy editor Susan Wessling, saying "We can’t just spring a new name and a new pronoun ," and quotes associate managing editor Philip B. Corbett saying the paper's reporting "will evolve over time." Sullivan also quotes the paper's “Manual of Style and Usage” guideline on transgender persons: "Unless a former name is newsworthy or pertinent, use the name and pronouns (he, his, she, her, hers) preferred by the transgender person." She concludes her article "It’s tricky, no doubt. But given Ms. Manning’s preference, it may be best to quickly change to the feminine and to explain that – rather than the other way around."<ref>{{cite news | first = Margaret | last = Sullivan | title = The Soldier Formerly Known as Bradley Manning | date = 2013-08-22 | url = http://publiceditor.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/22/the-soldier-formerly-known-as-bradley-manning/ | work = The New York Times | accessdate = 2013-08-28}}</ref> |
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On August 26, the ''New York Times'' and the Associated Press both released statements saying they would begin referring to Manning as 'Chelsea' and by female pronouns.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/08/ny-times-to-refer-to-manning-as-she-171250.html | title = NYT, AP to refer to Manning as 'Chelsea' | accessdate = 2013-08-28 | last = Byers | first = Dylan | date = 2013-08-26 | work = Politico}}</ref> |
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===''USA Today''=== |
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''USA Today'', which also referred to Manning by her birth name and masculine pronouns, published a follow-up article titled "Media torn in Manning 'he' or 'she' pronoun debate".<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news | first = Natalie | last = DiBlasio | title = Media torn in Manning 'he' or 'she' pronoun debate | date = 2013-08-22 | url = http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/22/manning-pronoun-he-she/2686449/ | work = USA Today | accessdate = 2013-08-28}}</ref> The article quotes ''USA Today'' Editor-in-Chief David Callaway, saying "Style evolves with the culture, and the latest style recommendations are that transgender people should be described as they want to be described. That said, Private Manning has been known as a male to this day, so should be regarded as 'he' at least for the immediate future. We will continue to discuss."<ref name="USAToday"/> |
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===National Public Radio=== |
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In initial reporting, ] (NPR) referred to Manning as 'Bradley' and by masculine pronouns. In Christine Haughney's article for the ''New York Times'', NPR spokeswoman Anna Bross is quoted as saying "Until Bradley Manning’s desire to have his gender changed actually physically happens, we will be using male-related pronouns to identify him." |
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On August 23 in response to criticism, NPR released a statement saying their "thinking has evolved" and that the organization will now refer to Manning by her preferred name and pronouns.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/23/214941331/npr-issues-new-guidance-on-mannings-gender-identity | title = NPR Issues New Guidance On Manning's Gender Identity | accessdate = 2013-08-28 | last = Peralta | first = Eyder | date = 2013-08-23 | work = NPR}}</ref> |
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==Response to coverage== |
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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (]) released a statement encouraging media outlets to refer to Manning by her preferred name and pronoun, saying "It is imperative that media outlets reporting on Chelsea Manning's announcement are respectful of her gender identity ... All references to Manning should refer to her as Chelsea and use female pronouns, as is consistent with the AP Style Book guidelines. If necessary, a clarifying sentence may be used which explains that Manning was referred to as "Bradley Manning" during the trial."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.glaad.org/blog/reporting-private-chelsea-manning-consistent-respect-gender-identity | title = Reporting On Private Chelsea Manning With Consistent Respect For Gender Identity | accessdate = 2013-08-28 | last = Heffernan | first = Dani | date = 2013-08-22 | publisher = ]}}</ref> |
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The ] echoed the sentiment, adding "It is not about surgeries and hormones. If a person wants to talk about these very personal topics, fine, but one’s gender identity and right to be respected aren’t dependent on taking such actions, nor are these necessarily public topics."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nlgja.org/article/nlgja-encourages-journalists-fair-accurate | title = NLGJA Encourages Journalists to be Fair and Accurate About Manning’s Plans to Live as a Woman | accessdate = 2013-08-28 | date = 2013-08-22 | publisher = ]}}</ref> |
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'']'' published an article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Call Chelsea Manning ‘She’?", writing: |
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{{quote|Why is it so hard for people to type an extra ''s'' when they write about Manning? We updated our nomenclature for "Snoop Lion" and "the Artist Formerly Known as Prince." "Ali Lohan" and "Lil' Bow Wow" became "Aliana" and "Bow Wow" to reflect personal growth. We accept typographical requests from branded products like iPhone, PowerPoint, and eHarmony – and from branded humans like Ke$ha, A$AP Rocky, and 'N Sync. (The last being unusual even without the asterisk.) The idiosyncrasies of capitalism, apparently, are more compelling than a human's self-professed gender.<ref name="nymag" />}} |
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'']'''s Alex Hayden-Dilalla also criticized the coverage, writing "Perhaps, Chelsea Manning, having been finally convicted in this highly divisive case, is not worthy of being identified by her preferred name and gender pronouns in the eyes of CNN, the Times, the Post, the Tribune, and countless other mainstream media sources. Invariably, the controlling issue of tenuous – if not absent – respect and understanding for gender identity is one that seems to be implicitly rationalized by the authors of these articles as acceptable because of the political implications of Manning's actions and public persona."<ref>{{cite news | first = Alex Hayden | last = DiLalla | title = Mainstream Media's Issue With Chelsea Manning's Gender Identity | date = 2013-08-23 | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-hayden-dilalla/mainstream-medias-issue-w_b_3798402.html | work = The Huffington Post | accessdate = 2013-08-28}}</ref> |
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Similarly, Katie McDonough wrote for ] "Manning has made her identity clear. She has made her request clear. To ignore these facts while reporting them is not just bad journalism – it’s utterly bigoted."<ref>{{cite news | first = Katie | last = McDonough | title = Media willfully misgender Chelsea Manning | date = 2013-08-23 | url = http://www.salon.com/2013/08/22/media_willfully_misgender_chelsea_manning/ | work = Salon | accessdate = 2013-08-28}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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* ] |
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==Notes== |
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{{Reflist|30em|group=nb}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
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* |
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{{WikiLeaks}} |
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] |
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] |
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] |
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