“I applaud them for that”, Manning said in a statement.
Advertisement
On September 9, Manning began a hunger strike to protest the lack of treatment, writing: “Today, I have decided that I am no longer going to be bullied by this prison-or by anyone within the USA government”.
BuzzFeed first reported the news about the government’s decision and Manning’s notification of it, but they were unable to get confirmation from a military spokesperson, who only said, “We can not and will not discuss the medical needs of individuals”.
It’s not clear when, if ever, Manning might be moved out of the all-male military facility where she’s now incarcerated. According to the ACLU, Manning is the first person to undergo gender-affirming surgery in prison. She had been on a hunger strike since last week while serving her 35 year sentence at U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. Manning’s doctors recommended in April that she have the male-to-female surgery, Strangio said. So last week, she chose to take drastic measures. The Army eventually agreed to allow her to receive hormone therapy, but it refused to allow her to groom as a woman.
Back in 2014, a list of musicians and celebrities including PJ Harvey, M.I.A., Thurston Moore, and Moby signed a statement expressing their support for government whistleblowers including Manning and Edward Snowden.
Some of the most damaging documents leaked by Manning included a video that showed a U.S. Army helicopter firing on people in Iraq which included journalists from Reuters. The recommendations for my hair length were back in 2014.
“This is a monumental day for Chelsea, who can now enjoy some peace knowing that critically needed medical care is forthcoming”, said ACLU attorney Chase Strangio.
Strangio also claims that the Army is continuing to “threaten” her with solitary confinement charges as a result of her recent suicide attempt.
“This medical care is absolutely vital for Chelsea as it is for so many transgender people – in and out of prison – who are systemically denied treatment exclusively because they are transgender”, said Strangio.
“Thankfully the government has recognised its constitutional obligation to provide Chelsea with the medical care that she needs and we hope that they will act without delay to ensure that her suffering does not needlessly continue”.
Advertisement
The Department of Defence this year relaxed an ongoing ban on transgender people serving in the military, which had previously impacted Manning’s treatment as she is held in a military prison. Manning’s leak of classified document is still considered one of the largest such leaks in American history.
