March 29, 2024


US Army Private Bradley Manning, sentenced to 35 years for leaking classified documents on Wednesday, announced that he would like to live out the rest of his life as a woman. The whistleblower has asked to refer to him by the name Chelsea Manning.

Quoting Manning,

As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female,” Manning said in a statement, which his lawyer, David Coombs, read on NBC News’ ‘Today show’. “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,”  The whistle blower concluded before signing the letter “Chelsea E. Manning.”

Manning’s  attorney said that he’s “hoping” Manning will be provided with the desired hormone therapy at Fort Leavenworth military prison, where the 25-year-old is most likely to serve his term.

“If Fort Leavenworth doesn’t, then I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure they are forced to do so,” Coombs stressed.

When asked if the hormone therapy will be followed by the sex-reassignment surgery, the lawyer said he hasn’t “really discussed that aspect with her.”

“Really, it’s more about getting the hormone therapy, so at this point I don’t know the answer to that,”
 he replied.

Coombs stressed that Manning won’t ask to be transferred to a female prison, adding that he has no fears for his 25-year-old client’s safety behind bars.

“Everyone that’s in a military prison is a first-time offender. These are soldiers who have done something wrong, have gone to prison and are really just trying to do their time and then get out,”
 he explained.

Coombs also said on the program that he expected Manning to get a pardon from Barack Obama, about which he plans to address the US president next week.

Following Manning’s statement, the US Army said it doesn’t provide hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery for gender identity disorder, the NBC news reports.

Manning’s announcement sparked a wave of comments on the Internet, with hashtag #FreeChelsea appearing on Twitter, instead of previously used #FreeBradley hashtag.

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