Bradley Manning SF Pride 2012 Contingent

should be the title of this.

Free Breanna

Bradley Manning has asked NO ONE to start referring to him as Breanna--not his attorneys (who meet with him weekly), not his family members (who visit him monthly), not his friends (who visit him less frequently), not the dozens of individuals who have attended every public hearing, and not the Bradley Manning Support Network that has paid 100% of the legal expenses of his chosen legal representation over the last two years.

Just two weeks ago, Bradley's attorney David Coombs noted, "I also want to pass on the following message from Brad: "I am very grateful for your support and humbled by your ongoing efforts."" Similar messages have been passed on by friends and family who have visited him as well.

Bradley's attorney's are not "covering up" the fact that Bradley was seriously questioning his gender identity in the months prior to his arrest in May 2010. In fact, David Coombs brought up the issue of Bradley's gender identity at last December's pre-trial "Article 32" hearing in the Fort Meade military courtroom when introducing a letter from Bradley to his direct Army supervisor while Iraq that began:

"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 it itself..."

In addition to this letter, we know that two individuals have released (without Bradley's consent) private online chat transcripts, that if accurate, clearly depict Bradley seriously grappling with his gender identity.

So, here are the facts as I understand them:
* Bradley Manning has had (and probably currently does have) serious gender identity questions.
* With the possible exception of two semi-anonymous private chats, Bradley has never asked anyone to call him by a female pronoun, including "Breanna".

Yet, some activists insist on forcing upon Bradley a female gender NOW. Shouldn't he be allowed to work out this question for himself? If Bradley is choosing to remain publicly silent on this issue for pragmatic reasons (remember, he faces life in prison before an upcoming military court martial), is that not his right?

For more on this

Feminist, trans advocates should support Bradley Manning
By Rainey Reitman, Bradley Manning Support Network Steering Committee
March 1, 2012. (Originally published in the Washington Blade)
http://www.bradleymanning.org/news/feminist-trans-advocates-should-support-bradley-manning