Can I suggest that we not speak unkindly of Chelsea Manning?

[suzifrommd]

Susan's is first and foremost a transgender support site. It is entirely possible that at this very moment, Ms. Manning is turning to us for support.

Therefore may I suggest that, whatever our personal viewpoints about her case, we refrain from posting anything that might make her feel she is not welcome here?

[Devlyn]

Well said. Although there is no need for us to hide our opinions about her actions, we must support her in her transition and identity.

[Ltl89]

I highly doubt she is on Susan's at this moment.  Nonetheless, I will offer her support if she is in need of it.  People can offer their support and still be in disagreement with one another's actions.  We have all received criticism on this site for some of our actions, decisions or our judgement at times.  It's a matter of how one is treated and spoken to.  Criticism is not a bad thing in itself.  No matter the disagreements one may have, I do agree that respect should be shown.  However, I will disagree that we should stifle our political speech and or opinions because someone may not be in favor of it.  As long as it is good spirited and done respectfully, in the proper forums and threads, there is no reason to take things to that extreme.  She is welcome here as is everyone else and their beliefs.  Should she become a member she will be given the same respect and privileges we all are granted on this site. But that's just my opinion. 

[dalebert]

There are so many forums out there where we can express our political views as openly and honestly as we like. Maybe this just isn't the place for it all the time. Maybe folks could even link to another forum to continue such discussions. Just a thought.

Meanwhile, I have nothing negative to say about her.

[Lesley_Roberta]

Had to Google the name.

If it is the army individual I located, hmm well I think being TG is the least of this persons worries.

I'm going back to ignoring the news though.

[Asfsd4214]

Well said. Although there is no need for us to hide our opinions about her actions, we must support her in her transition and identity.

Agreed.

Personally I think it sounds like she's a quite distressed and troubled young woman and that military life was not for her. I feel sorry for her as a human being and don't think she is deserving of this level of punishment for her mistakes. If I knew her I'd be happy to offer her support. However having said that, I can't say I don't appreciate the position of those who would call her a traitor. I'm not sure I disagree with them. Susans has a habit of being a very left leaning website, and that's ok, it's the nature of the position its population finds itself in. But not all of us share those positions and not all of us have much sympathy for the punishment she'll see for her actions.

Supporting her in her choice to transition is not going to mean supporting her as an individual for everyone. I don't think she's deserving from any more immunity from peoples opinions than any other transgender person to have committed a crime, what many including myself would say is a very serious crime.

Just my two cents on the issue.

Given the nature of her crime, I tend to doubt she has much access to the internet. But I do think the story is one worth discussing within the transgender community. It will ultimately have in some way or another a reflection on us.

[aleon515]

I doubt she has access either. She *might* have been on here. I don't know. I don't if I recall anyone named Chelsea. But as for her gender identity, I support that. There are other sections to argue other politics.

--Jay

[Antonia J]

Consider, she is transgender, in a male prison, with no access to any transition or gender therapy services for the period of incarceration... which could be 35 years.

Regardless of how you may feel about what she did, the situation is sad.  I think her biggest fault was being young and dumb, and not appreciating the full consequences of her actions. 

[Devlyn]

Even in military prison, there is a good old fashioned mail call. If we can come up with her address, we could do a letter writing campaign.

[Asfsd4214]

Regardless of how you may feel about what she did, the situation is sad.  I think her biggest fault was being young and dumb, and not appreciating the full consequences of her actions.

I definitely agree. I was thinking along similar lines as I thought more about her situation after I posted before.

Almost all of us have probably made decisions in our lives at some point that we later look back on shocked that we could have been so stupid and reckless. The majority of us get away with our stupid mistakes with no serious repercussions, a few of us don't and pay dearly for it. I sort of see Chelsea as an example of the latter. I wish she weren't going to have to pay so harshly for hers, but it's of course not our choice to make.

[Taka]

Regardless of how you may feel about what she did, the situation is sad.  I think her biggest fault was being young and dumb, and not appreciating the full consequences of her actions. 

it might also be a case of not caring about the consequences. i am young, but not dumb at all. if i were single and childless, i might do quite a lot of things which other people would think of as dumb, but to me are just a way of following my own principles.  to myself, my life doesn't hold that much importance but because i have a child, my life has too much meaning for someone so i can't afford to do all of the things that i want to. like, how can i take care of my daughter if i'm in prison.

[Asfsd4214]

it might also be a case of not caring about the consequences. i am young, but not dumb at all. if i were single and childless, i might do quite a lot of things which other people would think of as dumb, but to me are just a way of following my own principles.  to myself, my life doesn't hold that much importance but because i have a child, my life has too much meaning for someone so i can't afford to do all of the things that i want to. like, how can i take care of my daughter if i'm in prison.

We all become mature at different ages in our lives, some of us don't get as much of a choice when we grow up.

[Flan]

Even in military prison, there is a good old fashioned mail call. If we can come up with her address, we could do a letter writing campaign.

NEW MAILING ADDRESS for Chelsea Manning:

Bradley E. Manning
89289
1300 N. Warehouse Road
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 66027-2304

(thanks Anonymous)

[King Malachite]

Had to Google the name.

If it is the army individual I located, hmm well I think being TG is the least of this persons worries.

I'm going back to ignoring the news though.

I had to look it up too as lately she seems to be the talk of this forum.  I was too lazy to go past headlines though.  Something tells me I shouldn't even bother to read in depth.  I think I'll go back to ignoring the news too.

[Devlyn]

Thanks, Flan! It's posted on bradleymanning.org (gotta get that renamed) There is a tab for writing to Chelsea, in short, don't expect a reply. I hope some of us send a note of support to her nonetheless, I intend to.

There are restrictions on mail to prisoners including no money http://www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/visiting.jsp

[DriftingCrow]

If we can come up with her address, we could do a letter writing campaign.

Oh, I love writing letters (mainly because I draw pictures on the envelopes. . . yes, total art dork)! I am in.

[Ltl89]

Are we able to send letters without our legal names and addresses attached?  I'd feel more comfortable with that scenario. 

I think her coming out already had a big impact already.  Despite some of the ignorant jerks online, I have seen a shockingly large amount of support for her transition.  Even my mom was talking to me about this today and she wasn't yelling or criticising me which is pretty huge.  I owe her my thanks for that.  Though it will be sad that she would have to transition behind bars  and that's if it's allowed.  I can't think of a worse punishment for a transwoman then denying hormone therapy for 35 years. 

Then again, I don't know if it's right for me to send a letter because I'm in the unique position that supports her transition and wants her to be pardoned, but at the same time believes she did break the law as written even though I think she did release some information that should of seen the light of day.  I'm kind of a loner in that view as everyone else seems to have a definitive side, and I don't know if my letter would be appreciated or not.  I'm not a full on supporter nor am I detractor, so I don't know if the likes of me would piss her off.  I have to think further about it because I don't want to do the wrong thing or upset her.

[Beth Andrea]

I've never been in prison...but I imagine if I were, and for a particularly horrible crime (like murder), and I came here looking for support because I was TG...

The last thing I'd want to read is yet another brow-beating about how evil I am, and how I deserve to spend decades in prison, being Bubba's new girl friend.

I agree with Suzi, we should restrain ourselves in our self-righteous holier-than-thou "HA! You're in prison because you deserve it you slimeball!" and think about lending support to people who need our support.

[Jamie D]

I believe Manning is being held at the United States Disciplinary Barracks, on the United States Army post at Fort Leavenworth.


Typical DB prison cell

[V M]

I cannot condone the crimes committed by this individual but feel it important to lend support to all members of the transgender community