'I am Chelsea Manning,' says jailed soldier formerly known as Bradley

Manning says she plans to undergo hormone therapy as soon as possible and wishes to be referred to by female pronounsThe US soldier who was sentenced as Bradley Manning on Wednesday plans to undergo hormone therapy and has asked to be recognised as a woman.In a statement on Thursday Manning said she would like to be known as Chelsea E Manning and be referred to by female pronouns."As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me," she wrote."I am Chelsea Manning. I am a 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."But Fort Leavenworth military prison in Kansas, where Manning is due to serve out her sentence, said on Thursday that it would not provide trans treatment beyond psychiatric support, in a move criticised as unconstitutional by activists and LGBT groups.Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Wednesday for leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents. She was found guilty of 20 counts, six of them under the Espionage Act, but her lawyers argued during the trial that Manning was acting out of a sense of duty to her country."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)," Manning's statement read. "I look forward to receiving letters from supporters and having the opportunity to write back."...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Psychology theguardian.com United States World news Editorial Gender Bradley Manning Source Type: news