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It has been suggested that this article be merged into Bradley Manning. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2013.

On August 22, 2013, the day after being sentenced by general court-martial for violations of the Espionage Act for leaking the largest set of restricted documents ever released, Bradley Manning announced that she identified as female, wished to be known as Chelsea Manning, and expressed a desire to undergo hormone replacement therapy. Following the announcement, media coverage took place regarding how news sources reported about Manning, specifically in regards to what name and pronoun to use.

Background

Gender identity

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 gender identity disorder, and attaching a photograph of herself dressed as a woman. She wrote:

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 ...

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. Captain Steven Lim, Manning's commander, said he first saw the e-mail after Manning's arrest, when information about hormone replacement therapy was found in Manning's room in Baghdad; at that point Lim learned that Manning had been calling herself Breanna.

Manning told Adrian Lamo, an American threat analyst and "gray hat" hacker, 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 ..." 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 ..."

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.

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." 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. She was demoted from Specialist to Private First Class just three days before her arrest on May 27.

Press release from Manning

On August 22, 2013, the day after sentencing, Manning's attorney issued a press release to the Today show announcing that she identifies as female, and asking that the media refer to her by her new name and feminine pronouns:

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."

Initial media coverage

Immediate coverage of Manning's request was split. While Reuters, The Guardian and the Daily Mail changed name and pronouns immediately in accordance with Manning's request, many news outlets continued to use the male name and pronouns, including CNN, ABC News, The Boston Globe, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Politico, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and the Los Angeles Times. Within a week, The Daily Telegraph and The Times 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. This split in usage itself was reported on in the media.

New York Times

The New York Times 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.

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."

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."

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.

USA Today

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". 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."

National Public Radio

In initial reporting, National Public Radio (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."

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.

Response to coverage

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) 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."

The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association 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."

New York Magazine published an article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Call Chelsea Manning ‘She’?", writing:

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.

The Huffington Post'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."

Similarly, Katie McDonough wrote for Salon.com "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."

See also

• List of transgender-related topics

Notes

1. Manning may be released after eight years.
2. "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"
3. "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 ..."

References

1. Tate, Julie. "Judge sentences Bradley Manning to 35 years", The Washington Post, August 21, 2013.
2. Sledge, Matt. "Bradley Manning Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison For WikiLeaks Disclosures ", Huffington Post, August 21, 2013.
3. ^ Manning, Chelsea E. "The Next Stage of My Life", press release, August 22, 2013.
4. Stamp, Scott. "Bradley Manning: I want to live as a woman", NBC Today, August 22, 2013.
5. Blake, Aaron and Tate, Julie. "Bradley Manning comes out as transgender: ‘I am a female’", The Washington Post, August 22, 2013.
6. "Announcing the Private Manning Support Network!", Pvt Manning Support Network, August 26, 2013.
7. Reeve, Elspeth. "A Portrait of the Mind of Bradley Manning", The Atlantic Wire, August 14, 2013.
8. Lewis, Paul. "Bradley Manning supervisor 'ignored photo of soldier dressed as woman'", The Guardian, August 13, 2013.
9. Radia, Kirit and Martinez, Luis. "Bradley Manning Defense Reveals Alter Ego Named 'Breanna Manning'", ABC News, December 17, 2011.
10. Hansen, Evan and Poulsen, Kevin. "Putting the Record Straight on the Lamo-Manning Chat Logs", Wired magazine, December 28, 2010.
11. Nicks 2012, p. 164, and "Bradley Manning's Facebook Page", PBS Frontline, March 2011.
12. ^ For the storage cupboard, the psychiatrist, and the recommended discharge, see Nakashima, May 4, 2011.
    • For the same incident, see Nicks 2012, pp. 161–163.
    • For the altercation with the intelligence analyist, see Sanchez, Raf. "Bradley Manning 'attacked female soldier and sent picture of himself as a woman'", The Daily Telegraph, December 18, 2011.
    • Also see O'Kane, Maggie et al. "Bradley Manning: the bullied outsider who knew US military's inner secrets", and "WikiLeaks accused Bradley Manning 'should never have been sent to Iraq'", The Guardian, May 27, 2011.
13. Nakashima, May 4, 2011.
14. Dishneau, David and Jelinek, Pauline. "Witness: Manning said leak would lift 'fog of war'", Associated Press, December 19, 2011.
    • Also see Nicks 2012, p. 164.
15. Bayetti Flores, Verónica (2013-08-22). "Manning announces she is transitioning". Feministing. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
16. ^ O'Connor, Maureen (2013-08-22). "Why Is It So Hard to Call Chelsea Manning 'She'?". New York (magazine). Retrieved 2013-08-28.
17. Newman, Cathy (2013-08-23). "Prison will not be kind to Chelsea Manning". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
18. Frean, Alexandra (2013-08-23). "'I am Chelsea, I am female', says soldier formerly known as Bradley Manning". The Times. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
19. "New details on Manning's gender change". ABC. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2013-08-29. "Bradley Manning announces that he wants live as woman, Chelsea". New York Daily News. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2013-08-29."Bradley Manning explains gender change". Politico. 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
20. Carmon, Irin (2013-08-27). "Who is still calling Chelsea Manning 'he?'". MSNBC. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
21. Huetteman, Emmarie (2013-08-22). "'I Am a Female,' Manning Announces, Asking Army for Hormone Therapy". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
22. Haughney, Christine (2013-08-22). "'He'? 'She'? News Media Are Encouraged to Change". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
23. Sullivan, Margaret (2013-08-22). "The Soldier Formerly Known as Bradley Manning". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
24. Byers, Dylan (2013-08-26). "NYT, AP to refer to Manning as 'Chelsea'". Politico. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
25. ^ DiBlasio, Natalie (2013-08-22). "Media torn in Manning 'he' or 'she' pronoun debate". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
26. Peralta, Eyder (2013-08-23). "NPR Issues New Guidance On Manning's Gender Identity". NPR. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
27. Heffernan, Dani (2013-08-22). "Reporting On Private Chelsea Manning With Consistent Respect For Gender Identity". GLAAD. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
28. "NLGJA Encourages Journalists to be Fair and Accurate About Manning's Plans to Live as a Woman". National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
29. DiLalla, Alex Hayden (2013-08-23). "Mainstream Media's Issue With Chelsea Manning's Gender Identity". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
30. McDonough, Katie (2013-08-23). "Media willfully misgender Chelsea Manning". Salon. Retrieved 2013-08-28.

External links

• New York Magazine: "Why Is It So Hard to Call Chelsea Manning ‘She’?"

• Articles to be merged from August 2013
• Transgender
• WikiLeaks
• Media-related controversies in the United States