In the German Wikipedia a huge discussion has erupted over the question how to change the
Wikipedia page for Chelsea Manning and it's another textbook example over how to drive
women of Wikipedia. You can see the gory details here (in German of course):
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diskussion:Bradley_Manning
I don't want to discuss this because it has already exhausted me to no end but
it's another example of “How not to deal with women” and especially “How not to deal
with transwomen” and it's important to understand the dynamics.
After her statement on Today, one user went over the article, changing it from Bradley to
Chelsea. When discussions about this started, two other users set up a section
"Namensänderung" that addressed some of the criticism (confusion over names,
before „Breanna“ was mentioned, how the support network has handled the name question) and
provided sources. They did this on an etherpad and then moved the complete section into
Wikipedia. By the way a modus operandi that I have heard from several women, to minimize
chances of their work being deleted again.
One admin locked the article title to Chelsea Manning. Some friends told me how happy they
were to see the page presenting her in this way.
Over the night, though, the discussion exploded. Changes were made by the minute, or
rather, the article was reverted. Every try, to change something back or to reason with
people was made impossible. To keep up, you would have had to be there, writing and
fighting not only during the day but also the night. That is just not possible for anybody
except students.
Somebody mentioned that “commonly referred to names” were ok to use, so I tried to get
people to acknowledge that the final article will influence how Manning is referred to in
German speaking countries. No avail. Instead, the amount of transphobic statements was
disgusting. People wanting to check her therapy progress, ID documents or in her pants. I
cannot blame anybody who doesn't want to deal with this sort of violence.
Every try to get people consider US laws and customs, which differ from much stricter
German transgender laws and guidelines, was totally ignored. Also, guidelines by
transgender organizations on how to write about transpeople were ignored. Somebody brought
up the fact that Manning hat entered the military in a profession reserved for men at the
time. Instead of asking an expert how to deal with it, it was solely used as an argument.
It was all just opinions, instead of facts. While some people were still talking about
knowledge, someone else would start a vote and then the majority decided.
(In case you wonder: one way would be to keep referring to Chelsea as female while noting
that the profession was reserved for men at the time and she entered presenting as male.)
Of course, people who identified as women or worse, transwomen, were shouted down to no
end and accused of being too emotional or having a political agenda. Wanting to be treated
with respect and having human rights is indeed a political agenda but none to be insulted
for. Also: one transwoman was not egligible to vote, her account was too “new”. She had
shut down her old account, from before transition for several reason (transphobia being
one).
The section "Namensänderung" was removed, too. There was no reason given and
Kathrin, the author, later told in a podcast how difficult it was for her to find out, how
and when this happened as it was removed with other sections. She managed to get it
restored with the help of an experienced Wikipedia admin. Deleting a thoroughly researched
section that is undoubtedly relevant reeks of erasure, in this case of the existence of a
transwoman. The podcast (in German) is available here:
http://www.iheartdigitallife.de/nrrrdz000020-mesh-up/
So. There's a group of mostly women, who poured their hearts into work, defended it
thoroughly and were insulted and shouted down. I honestly see no way, how we are even in a
position to get people to change guidelines anywhere in Wikipedia. Plus, we're all
exhausted.
Still, there are some ideas what to do:
- The guidelines on naming need to include how to deal with transpersons.
- As does a policy of using pronouns.
- If guidelines and policies are expanded on how to deal with marginalised groups, their
expertise has to be valued.
- Removal of sections should be easier to reconstruct
Once again: I don't want to discuss the issue at hand or even be forced to defend who
wrote what when. I also know how Wikipedia works and this mailinglist is in no place to
officially demand changes, yadayada. But this is important. If it weren't for some
very persistent people, the German entry would not even mention the fact that Manning has
asked to be referred to as a woman.
All the best
Helga Hansen
PS: It has to be said that Lana Wachowskis entry was changed without much kerfuffle, but
then it's always been a “Wachowski brothers” entry that's now “Wachowski siblings”
and there's about one pronoun used that refers to “her” and not “them”.
PPS: Please realize that I feel the need to ask not be treated to any explanations because
I have experienced that way too often.
__________________
Helga Hansen
@hanhaiwen
helgahansen.de