I expected that I would eventually mention a transgender situation in this column. However, I didn't expect it to be so early on. This month I wanted to look at the media's handling of Chelsea Manning. This story has been troubling. Or rather, the handling of it in mainstream media has been troubling. And whatever you think of Manning's trial or the reason she was on trial (for leaking military information to WikiLeaks that led to public embarrassment of US military), there isn't an excuse for the way her transition (what it's called when someone starts living as the gender they feel they are, rather than the sex they were born with) played out in the news. Some news outlets have been fumbling over themselves to be respectful and using female pronouns, as she asked. But some, like Fox News, mocked her announcement and continued to call her Bradley Manning. Although yes, there is potential to be awkward in coverage, that fact is more shameful in and of itself than the actuality of a national television embarrassment. A simple Google search will bring up countless articles the trans community has created to make news situations like this less covered in derogatory phrases and words. And while it's a learning experience, it doesn't have to be a large learning curve unless you make it one.
But let's put aside pronouns and genders and trials and courtrooms for a second and focus on the why. Was anything Private Manning said before this announcement ever scoffed at? During the trial was anything she said mocked in the news? For as much as local news has been about the royal baby and other high profile cases, when it came to the Manning trial reporters were earnest. Bemused looks and mockery only surfaced with reports of Manning's transition announcement. Some coverage made the announcement out to be a scandal of sorts. People resorted to jokes about her life in prison and the validity of her statements; as if being transgender was a choice or disorder and it was a publicity stunt to get a lesser charge. But are these valid reactions? What about being a woman is so incredulous? What is so shocking about femininity? When Chaz Bono transitioned to male, the reporters were borderline respectful, as though wanting to be a man was more acceptable. And it is, in this world where "man" and male pronouns are still the default when discussing abstract concepts and "mixed company".
The alternative to these words is a matter of much debate and topic for another day. But you can't have equality when people are being judged for expressing themselves harmlessly. Or when people are shocked at female pop stars for being raunchy at award shows where raunch is awarded but say nothing to the males around them on stage. Or when women don't have a say in their own bodies, and are judged for not wearing one article of clothing or another. Women's thoughts and decisions need to be just as respected as men's decisions. Chelsea Manning has every right to her own life path and to speak her mind using her own words. Being transgender does not make her lesser of a woman and it doesn't make her any less valid. The essence of being transgender is not a disorder or a choice. This world could be so much better if we worked on accepting every difference between the genders and the spectrum. And while everyone has some gender bias, we can all work to lessen the amount of bias and ignorance we have.
That is a choice. And it's one worth making.
