Bradley Manning, the LGBT Army intelligence specialist who’s accused of releasing more than 750,000 documents of various levels of governmental classification through WikiLeaks be one of the grand marshals of the San Francisco Pride celebration this summer.
As many applaud SF Prides bold choice some LGBT military activists are furious.
Gay military activist Sean Sala (who I have personally never heard of) reacted by saying about Manning “He is a traitor,” and has called call for a nationwide boycott of the festivities unless they remove Manning.
“Bradley Manning is currently in Military tribunal for handing over Secret United States information to Wikileaks’ Julian Assange. His actions endangered the lives of thousands of service members and their families across the globe. Manning has admitted to be the leaker.As the organizer of the 2011 Active Duty Military March in San Diego Pride and working with the Pentagon to approve the first ever Uniformed Military march in a Pride parade, I am appalled, infuriated and sad. San Francisco has spit in the face of LGBT Military by using a traitor to our country as a poster child. They are not using Manning for anything they truly admire, only to boost their attendance and garnish more currency for their parade.Manning makes Gay military, the Armed Forces and cause of equality look like a sham. He deserves no recognition.I am calling all LGBT Military and national LGBT news to announce a boycott for San Francisco Pride. Specifically LGBT Military, Active and Veterans of all Branches.This is a sensitive time for the LGBT Community, we have spent fifty years trying to garnish equality and Manning cannot and will not represent Gay Military patriots.”
“As someone who joined the effort to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell after being discharged from the United States Army’s Military Intelligence Corps, I applaud PFC Manning’s actions and commend the SF Pride committee for taking a stand against corruption and deplorable military and political practice. As LGBT communities gain greater acceptance in our society and political arenas, we can look to Manning and those like him as an example of great integrity. Our integration into these institutions need not come at the cost of our soul as a community, and I would be proud to consider myself a battle buddy to this exemplar of truth and justice.”
Manning will be represented, at San Francisco Pride by Pentagon Papers’ whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg.
>*Back2Stonewall stands with San Francisco Pride on its decision and DOES NOT support a boycott of San Francisco Pride.
I think that by choosing Bradley Manning as GrandMarshall the choice may be controversial, but it shows that transparency is more important then the secrecy that a lot of people in the military regard needed!
What is not secret? Even your own stats on NoFlyLists are secret! Even you as owner of the stats can not access the stats, nor be getting information as to why your name is on the NoFlyList! Let alone to be able to counter the info they collected, from whatever perhaps illegal or untrustworthy source!
I applaud the SFPP, if only for the acknowledgement of the fact of letting people know that at least one guy, Manning, has stood up against the increasing power of military secrecy!
My opinion!
HOT OFF THE PRESSES. SF Pride admits error. Bradley Manning will NOT be Pride Grand Marshall. Below: Statement from SF Pride Board President.
SF Pride Statement about Bradley Manning
26 April 2013: Bradley Manning will not be a grand marshal in this year’s San Francisco Pride celebration. His nomination was a mistake and should never have been allowed to happen. A staff person at SF Pride, acting under his own initiative, prematurely contacted Bradley Manning based on internal conversations within the SF Pride organization. That was an error and that person has been disciplined. He does not now, nor did he at that time, speak for SF Pride.
Bradley Manning is facing the military justice system of this country. We all await the decision of that system. However, until that time, even the hint of support for actions which placed in harms way the lives of our men and women in uniform — and countless others, military and civilian alike — will not be tolerated by the leadership of San Francisco Pride. It is, and would be, an insult to every one, gay and straight, who has ever served in the military of this country.
There are many, gay and straight, military and non-military, who believe Bradley Manning to be innocent. There are many who feel differently. Under the US Constitution, they have a first amendment right to show up, participate and voice their opinions at Pride this year.
Specifically, what these events have revealed is a system whereby a less-than-handful of people may decide who represents the LGBT community’s highest aspirations as grand marshals for SF Pride. This is a systemic failure that now has become apparent and will be rectified. In point of fact, less than 15 people actually cast votes for Bradley Manning. These 15 people are part of what is called the SF Pride Electoral College, comprised of former SF Pride Grand Marshals. However, as an organization with a responsibility to serve the broader community, SF Pride repudiates this vote. The Board of Directors for SF Pride never voted to support this nomination. Bradley Manning will have his day in court, but will not serve as an official participant in the SF Pride Parade.
— Lisa L. Williams, SF Pride Board President
I am sorry, but as long as Manning is not convicted he is to be considered innocent, and that includes putting anyone at harm or in danger, including American soldiers!
The fact that someone is exposing wrongs does not mean that the person is wrong! On the contrary, such a person is in my opinion to saluted, even when it involves exposing material that is labeled secret! When such material though being secret involves information about and on illegal or even unlawful actions and or activities labeling it secret means to keep it from knowledge!
Besides, every soldier has the duty to report, even disobey, orders that are against laws, treaties, and agreements, and in my opinion Manning did such by exposing orders and instructions that violated international agreements!
Just my opinion.