Bradley Manning, the Person: The Making of the World's Most Notorious Leaker
By Alexis Madrigal
Jul 13 2011, 7:31 PM ET 17
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/07/bradley-manning-the-person-the-making-of-the-worlds-most-notorious-leaker/241920/ (http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/07/bradley-manning-the-person-the-making-of-the-worlds-most-notorious-leaker/241920/)
In January of 2010, Manning was allegedly in the process of leaking the many, many documents to Julian Assange's organization. At the same time, he was also publicly cross-dressing for a substantial period of time while on leave.
"i went on leave in late january / early february... and... i cross-dressed, full on... wig, breastforms, dress, the works... i had crossdressed before... but i was public... for a few days," he wrote. "i blended in....no-one knew. the first thing i learned was that chivalry isn't dead... men would walk out of their way and open doors for me... it was so weird. i was referred to as "Ma'am" or "Miss" at places like Starbucks and McDonalds (hey, im not a fancy eater)."
Manning finally felt like himself, like he didn't have to hide anything.