women in uniform

Description

A former Grand Marshal of the SF Pride Parade speaks about why he nominated Bradley Manning for the honor in the 2013 parade. --------------------------- Close to 200 members of the Bay Area's LGBT community paid a visit to the office of San Francisco's Pride Parade to let board president Lisa L Williams know what they thought of her reversal of the announcement that Iraq and Afghan war whistleblower Bradley Manning would be an honorary Grand Marshal. An announcement came from the SF Pride office that Bradley would be given the honor, but was very quickly rescinded in a statement released by Ms. Williams: "That was an error and that person has been disciplined. He does not now, nor did he at that time, speak for SF Pride." She went on to speak more personalized and condemning words about PFC Manning: "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." The crowd gathered at her office couldn't disagree more. "They say 'Court martial' we say 'GRAND MARSHAL'!!!" A dozen or so speakers took turns speaking very highly of Bradley Manning's courage, heroism, and how he absolutely would be a great representation of the LGBT community in SF Pride's 2013 parade. Representative's from 'Iraq Veteran's Against the War' , the 'Bradley Manning Support Network', and Vietnam War whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg took turns, among many others, praising Manning and condemning the actions of Ms. Williams. Rainey Reitman of the 'Bradley Manning Support Network' (http://www.bradleymanning.org/) spoke about Bradley's experience in LGBT activism: "Bradley Manning was a queer advocate. He was out there marching against 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' in the DC Pride Parade. He spoke to reporters about what it was like to be a soldier and why 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' had to be abolished. He attended fundraisers for Gavin Newsom and the Stonewall Democrats, and he discussed what it was like to deal with homophobia in the military." Fellow whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg took the opportunity to make an announcement regarding the 2013 SF Pride Parade: "I don't hint at support for Bradley Manning, I couldn't be louder...I guarantee you that I will be marching in that parade, for the first time for me, with a banner honoring Bradley Manning." The 2013 SF Pride Parade will take place June 29th & 30th. -------------------- http://morecontext.net