In a statement posted to the Free Chelsea Manning website, Manning spoke of their relief at the United States military “doing the right thing”, with regards to her gender dysphoria. “I applaud them for that”.
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“I hope this sets a precedent”, Manning said in her statement, “for the thousands of trans people behind me”. And despite the fact that in our filings before the court, nearly two years ago, we indicated that she was at a grave risk of attempted suicide and possible successful suicide, they have continued to enforce male grooming standards against her and not follow the treatment protocols of her recommend-recommended by her provider.
Two days ago, before this news broke, Michael Stipe expressed his concern for Manning in a brief video encouraging people to sign a petition for her fair treatment.
The army announced later that month that it would investigate Ms Manning for misconduct in connection with the attempt to take her own life, a probe that could lead to indefinite solitary confinement, reclassification into maximum security or additional prison time. “This medical care is absolutely vital for Chelsea”.
It’s really not like the military to do things half-assed, but when it comes to ending Chelsea Manning’s hunger strike, the Army’s approval of Manning’s gender transition surgery doesn’t really go all the way.
Originally called Bradley, Manning was convicted in August 2013 of espionage and other offenses after admitting to handing classified documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.
The military court determined that they would follow the Department of Defense’s instruction for ” In-Service Transition”, according to Strangio. Doctors had also recommended that she be allowed to have a woman’s hair style, however, military prison officials continue to enforce the requirement that she have a man’s haircut.
“Oh [expletive]. Sorry to be so harsh, and I have no problem with her wanting to transition”.
“We hope that they will act without delay to ensure that her suffering does not needlessly continue”, Strangio said in a statement. “The government is trying to silence her important voice–for good”.
Last year, the Army agreed to provide her with hormone therapy but would not allow her to groom as a woman.
Strangio said that Manning had been given “some indication” Monday that a compromise might be worked out with respect to her treatment.
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Yet, it was not all smiles for Manning – as it took nearly six months for her wish to come true. The recommendations for my hair length were back in 2014.
