A lot of people assume this is the correct way to speak because it’s chronologically correct, but the general consensus in the trans community is that she was always Chelsea Manning, and always was a woman, and the time that she spent using the other name and gender need not be reflected upon. I do not know how Chelsea Manning personally feels about this, and every individual is entitled to their own respect, however the general etiquette when you do not know is to NOT deadname or misgender them, regardless of what era of their life you are referring to.
This is not an attack. Just a PSA.
Have a peaceful evening.
You are entitled to disagree, and as i said before, I do not know Chelsea Mannings’ stance on the matter. Some trans people do refer to their past tense selves with their previous names, or even do not change names after coming out or transitioning. You are correct that court documents will not be altered.
The point that I am making is that, in general, it is considered disrespectful and quite rude to dead name and misgender someone unless they have given you express permission to do so. It’s really not a matter of being technically correct, it’s just a matter of being kind.
Unless you are friends with Chelsea (which I am not), or unless you are directly quoting something out of the court document (and even then, you can just say “Manning”), there’s no need to use the name that she used to go by, and there’s no need to use he/him pronouns. We’re talking about Chelsea Manning right now, but this goes for any trans person that you are not personally acquainted with. Another example would be to say that Caitlin Jenner is an Olympic Medal winner, regardless of what she looked like or what name she won those medals under, or what category she won them in.
Again, not an attack. I’m just making noise.
Hope your night is going well.
(But fuck Caitlin Jenner, she’s a bad person)