Chelsea Manning To Receiver Gender Transition Treatment

There has been the expected debate over Chelsea Manning's request that she receive medical gender transition treatment while in military prison. Sec of Defense Chuck Hagel has approved it.

Chelsea Manning to receive military 'gender treatment'

Defence secretary Chuck Hagel has approved gender treatment for Pte First Class Manning, who was formerly known as Bradley.

The move came after the bureau of prisons rejected the Army's request to transfer her from a military facility.

She is serving a 35-year sentence for leaking classified files to Wikileaks.

Pte Manning has been diagnosed by military doctors with gender dysphoria, the sense of one's gender being at odds with the sex assigned at birth.

Following her conviction in July 2013 on 20 charges in connection with the leaks of military and diplomatic documents, Pte Manning requested treatment including hormone therapy, and to be allowed to live as a woman.

This is an appropriate decision on the part of the government. Manning's situation is certainly difficult and complicated. However, she has a human right to appropriate medical care. Happily some progress is being made toward an acceptance of the legitimate medical needs of trans women and trans men.