Bradley Manning, the Army private who was sentenced this week to 35 years in prison for releasing restricted government documents to WikiLeaks, has announced that he would like to be known from here forward as Chelsea Manning, and intends to live as a woman.
In a statement, the former soldier said:
“I am Chelsea Manning. I am female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition…. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun (except in official mail to the confinement facility). I look forward to receiving letters from supporters and having the opportunity to write back.”
During the trial, Chelsea’s lawyers presented claims that she had been struggling with gender identity for years, joining the Army as a way to exorcise the issues.
Obviously, that plan didn’t pan out.
Chelsea’s hoping to receive hormone therapy in prison to begin the physical transition to female life.
However, she will be housed in a military prison and the Army does not provide such a regimen, but her attorney, David Coombs, has declared he will do everything in his power to make sure the prison is required to provide the therapy.
A lot of adjustments in a short period of time. It’ll be very interesting to see how this all pans out.
[Image via YouTube].
Related Posts
-
Categories
