Pedestals, a commentary.

[Guest EvaO]

Well, yes, the crime committed was to be the focus, but I think myself and a few other people brought up the issue of pronouns because it was weaved, whether intentional or not, into the original post -- some people feel Manning doesn't deserve to have her new identity respected or are suspicious of her for all of a sudden coming out as trans, etc.

I still stand by my belief that, evil wrong-doer or not, jail or not, Benedict Arnold or not, someone should have their identity respected. However, I can understand someone's suspicions that Manning may be lying about her status to get more attention or that she is a bad example for the trans-community or that we shouldn't all of a sudden commend her for coming out as trans when she just committed a crime. I get that too.

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Well, yes, the crime committed was to be the focus, but I think myself and a few other people brought up the issue of pronouns because it was weaved, whether intentional or not, into the original post -- some people feel Manning doesn't deserve to have her new identity respected or are suspicious of her for all of a sudden coming out as trans, etc.

I still stand by my belief that, evil wrong-doer or not, jail or not, Benedict Arnold or not, someone should have their identity respected. However, I can understand someone's suspicions that Manning may be lying about her status to get more attention or that she is a bad example for the trans-community or that we shouldn't all of a sudden commend her for coming out as trans when she just committed a crime. I get that too.

My choice to use neutral pronouns was a personal statement I was making to make a point. Part of what made me feel the need to write what I wrote was that we as a community had placed Kristin Beck on a pedestal and then she felt strongly about something and probably out of anger referred to Private Manning with male pronouns intentionally to make a point. Well the community backlash was harsh and that's fine people can have an opinion about it, but I felt that it was very hypocritical to turn on a community "hero" over this one thing. It was this attitude that if you do not support manning because Manning is trans then you are a pariah that I saw in the community that bothered me.

I simply decided to use neutral terms to refer to Manning to make a point that we do not all have to feel exactly the same about it, or think the same things. I am not by any means sitting here writing letters to this person and trying to tell them anything about their proclaimed gender status, and I have absolutely no desire to do so.

I will also point out I have never actually stated my personal opinion on Manning, I am simply supporting those with differing opinions on a touchy subject and their ability to think whatever they want to think.

Sarah

[Guest EvaO]

Fair point, Sarah.