Army: We won't provide transgender Manning with hormone treatment or sex reassignment surgery

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Miami Herald

Convicted WikiLeaks soldier Bradley Manning confirmed today that she is transgender and asked to be referred to as Chelsea and with female pronouns.

Mannings' lawyer, David Coombs told the Today show that he hoped officials at the military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., will accommodate Manning's request for hormone treatment, but the Army said it doesn't provide it or sex-reassignment surgery.

Here is the complete military statement:

We are aware that counsel representing the soldier convicted under the name Bradley Manning conveys that his client now openly identifies as female.

Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2013/08/army-we-wont-provide-transgender-manning-with-hormone-treatment-or-sex-reassignment-surgery.html

[jessie04]

1. That is disgusting Transphobic discrimination at its worst.

nt

[MynameisBlarney]

3. If I were Chelsea

The very LAST thing I would do is let an Army doctor put me under the knife.

[delta17]

39. Read the article.

They don't do this for anyone. Why should they make an exception in this case?

[jessie04]

45. Never been needed before .

This is really Transgenderphobic bigotry.

[RZM]

49. You really think Manning is the first to request this?

Doubtful.

[MjolnirTime]

52. When you're in prison, you don't get to do what you want.

That's why it's called punishment.

And why should the taxpayer pay for the surgery?

[HardTimes99]

53. Has anyone ever labelled you an ignorant bigot? If not, please allow me to be the first. You

are a disgrace.

[MjolnirTime]

54. It's sad that you view everything through the lens of sexuality.

Manning can be transgender and a criminal at the same time. One does not absolve him of the other.

And if you can find me any evidence of a prison ever paying for an inmates transgender surgery, please do.
It just doesn't happen.

I feel sorry for you. It must be hard living in this world with that attitude.

[HardTimes99]

55. Your post reeks of the attitude that gender dysphoria is some sort

of choice made by those medically diagnosed with the condition.

That's what makes you and your post despicable and what qualifies you as a FUCKING BIGOT.

[MjolnirTime]

56. It is not an illness. The surgery is, in fact, elective. That is why the prison will not provide it.

What is so hard to understand about that??

You just want to unload your emotional baggage on any target you find.
Too bad you're having trouble telling friend from foe.
You aren't going to find a more LGBT friendly party than the Democrats.

[HardTimes99]

57. I have no trouble at all discerning bigotry when it shows its ugly face. Too

bad you haven't taken a good hard look at yourself in the mirror recently, but that's typically the case with bigots like you.

[MjolnirTime]

58. The more posts I reply to, the worse you look. You've said nothing but "bigot".

That's why you'll find noone listening to you. Even as you talk louder.

Even as you talk louder.

[HardTimes99]

64. A jury bounced you on Trumad's thread for your bigotry. Keep it up and maybe a jury will do the

same here.

One can always hope.

[GalaxyHunter]

74. wow. just shut your mouth, you're coming off as stupid (quoted from Step Brothers)

[Evasporque]

92. AMA and NIMH deem HRT and sexual reassignment surgery medically necessary

For individuals that show to exhibit sever gender dysphoria.

One can be transgender and anything else, a lawyer, a doctor, a construction worker, unemployed a prisoner.

[Bully Taw]

67. Massachusetts did...

here is the link: http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/04/health/massachusetts-sex-change-surgery-inmate

[Bully Taw]

68. i have a hard time seeing that statement...

as bigoted. if you want to make an argument, you need to do better than that.

[MillennialDem]

85. So we shouldn't treat prisoners with broken legs?

[alarimer]

93. If she had cancer, they'd pay for the treatment.

Or depression, or whatever other condition. It's simply a humanitarian requirement.

[Orsino]

63. I'd say that job one ought to be...

...treatment for months of torture in the form of Manning's solitary confinement.

[Kelvin Mace]

2. I was going to say

Last edited Thu Aug 22, 2013, 10:43 PM - Edit history (1)

that I hoped Manning didn't seriously believe she was getting any of that.

[Niceguy1]

9. I hope not

Neither the feds or the military pay for that.

[Bully Taw]

13. he can do whatever he wants in prison....

as long as he, himself, pays for it.

[FreeState]

23. She - not he

your not for universal healthcare?

[Bully Taw]

61. ok, she...

and universal healthcare is another debate.

And whether or not this elective surgery would be covered under universal healthcare is another.

[Vanje]

25. SHE

The pronoun you want is, "she".

[Bully Taw]

60. good enough, then

I'll go with she.

[idwiyo]

36. It's SHE, not HE. You are talking about a woman, use proper pronouns.

[Bully Taw]

59. my apologies...

I mean she, not he.

Although, anatomically speaking, she is still a he.

I get the idea, though. and I will go with she.

[idwiyo]

62. Please, have a look at the article below. It will explain why 'anatomicaly male/female' doesn't

make sense even remotely.

Please, read entire article, my quote is just a small portion of it.

World Health Organisation
Genomic resource centre
Gender and Genetics

http://www.who.int/genomics/gender/en/index1.html

Humans are born with 46 chromosomes in 23 pairs. The X and Y chromosomes determine a person’s sex. Most women are 46XX and most men are 46XY. Research suggests, however, that in a few births per thousand some individuals will be born with a single sex chromosome (45X or 45Y) (sex monosomies) and some with three or more sex chromosomes (47XXX, 47XYY or 47XXY, etc.) (sex polysomies). In addition, some males are born 46XX due to the translocation of a tiny section of the sex determining region of the Y chromosome. Similarly some females are also born 46XY due to mutations in the Y chromosome. Clearly, there are not only females who are XX and males who are XY, but rather, there is a range of chromosome complements, hormone balances, and phenotypic variations that determine sex.

The biological differences between men and women result from two processes: sex determination and differentiation.(3) The biological process of sex determination controls whether the male or female sexual differentiation pathway will be followed. The process of biological sex differentiation (development of a given sex) involves many genetically regulated, hierarchical developmental steps. More than 95% of the Y chromosome is male-specific (4) and a single copy of the Y chromosome is able to induce testicular differentiation of the embryonic gonad. The Y chromosome acts as a dominant inducer of male phenotype and individuals having four X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (49XXXXY) are phenotypically male. (5) When a Y chromosome is present, early embryonic testes develop around the 10th week of pregnancy. In the absence of both a Y chromosome and the influence of a testis-determining factor (TDF), ovaries develop.

Gender, typically described in terms of masculinity and femininity, is a social construction that varies across different cultures and over time. (6) There are a number of cultures, for example, in which greater gender diversity exists and sex and gender are not always neatly divided along binary lines such as male and female or homosexual and heterosexual.

[Bully Taw]

66. whether it makes sense or not...

the stem is either on the apple, or it is not. that is anatomy. If you want to discuss philosophy or psychology, that's fine. I'm good with Bradley being Chelsea.

[idwiyo]

69. The article is about genetics (and anatomy) but it doesn't really matter. Chelsea is a woman, no

different from me or the rest of us, females. That's all that matter.

[Bully Taw]

70. I'm cool with that. n/t

[24601]

83. There will be many things that Private Manning cannot do in prison that have nothing to do with

the ability to pay.

Will the Obama administration lock-up Private Manning with men or women.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Does the military provide it

To ALL Active Duty soldier, prisoners and vets? And I though Manning was dishonorably discharged . . .

[branford]

5. My understanding is that Manning will be dishonorably discharged after he serves his sentence.

At all relevant times, Manning will be under the jurisdiction of the army.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. So does the US Military

Provide these services to ALL soldiers? If they do - and Manning is under their jurisdiction- it's a fair request. If they don't - then I don't think Manning has a leg to stand on with this request.


It took how many years for us to get rid of DADT? Not being snarky - but this fight could go on for the next 35 years . . .

[frazzled]

10. The Army does not permit transgendered individuals to serve at all

The Palm Center, a California-based research institute that examined issues associated with the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for more than a decade, received a $1.35 million grant to study transgender service in the American military, according to a report from BuzzFeed.

Under current military policy, transgender individuals are barred from serving because “gender dysphoria” — a medical and psychological term used to describe the experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, and which is not marked as a disorder in the DSM-V — is classified by the military as a mental illness. Gender-affirming surgeries can also medically disqualify prospective troops, according to Pentagon regulations.

Because military policy bars transgender troops, it is currently unknown how many may be serving while remaining in the closet.

http://www.salon.com/2013/07/31/research_institute_receives_1_35_million_to_examine_transgender_service_in_u_s_military/

My question is this: why did Manning's lawyers not help to secure hormonal or other treatments during the past three years, since the arrest? I presume it is because they did not want to have Manning go to trial in some kind of transition state. If it's a humane issue now, why wasn't it then? There's a bit of grandstanding to this, on the part of the attorneys, who have now said they will do "anything" to secure treatment.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. I'm feeling the same way

Grandstanding. . .

But I guess - I don't consider it a mental illness. That's where I'm stuck. Morally - I don't find the request a crazy one - it's actually immoral to treat this core 'need' as mental illness.

But in the framework of THIS case - eh? Grandstanding.

And finally I end up with - I don't play situational ethics.

[frazzled]

20. No situational ethics, indeed

I don't believe that the condition of being transgender is a mental illness (nor does psychology): it's a biological fact. However, I'm sure that various psychological issues can come to attach to an individual if societal or family or other pressures are present.

Mostly, though, I don't understand the position of the defense team: they're slyer than foxes. They've been playing both sides--nay, all sides--of the fence from the get go, and they haven't stopped. However, if they're going to feign moral outrage that the military prison system will not help their client, they need to explain why they themselves failed to do so for more than 3 years. Strange.

[Revanchist]

76. Probably not able to take them while incarcerated.

I think gender reassignment hormones, like all other drugs would be considered contraband unless prescribe by the prison infirmary so Ms. Manning would be unable to receive them.

[Vanje]

26. She

The pronoun you want, is, "she".

[branford]

28. Sorry, force of habit after a VERY long trial and surrounding saga.

Keep in mind that even her attorneys have used "he" up until now.

[GalaxyHunter]

75. According to poster CBGLuthier, you should have switched right away!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3521060

[branford]

80. Heh. Demands for semantic purity will make enemies out of allies.

I have absolutely no issue with using "she" if that's how Manning now identifies, but the hysterical umbrage over pronoun use, particularly since the switch only happened days ago, is sure to sorely irritate even those who have supported Manning.

Constantly correcting someone's use of pronouns, particularly when it is obvious that no offense is intended, really misses the forest for the trees in the Manning saga.

[GalaxyHunter]

86. I completely agree.

[christx30]

87. The problem I'm having

is the timing. There are efforts about trying to get a pardon for him. Many people behind those efforts don't have a problem with the leaks, but have a problem with the transgender thing. This news might derail efforts. And it gives more ammo to the people on the right that are against him. It erases a lot of the sympathy from the average person.
I hope no one misinterprets this message as being bigoted against Manning or transgendered people. That's not the case at all. But if you're fighting for your freedom against the military justice system, you can't give your enemies any ammo against you.

[branford]

88. Ironically, you support Manning, yet may be attacked for your post.

I, personally, do not have much sympathy for Manning in connection with the enormity of the leaks, and believe the verdict was just, although other good and honest people may disagree. I do, however, believe Manning should receive any medically necessary treatment while incarcerated.

You support Manning's request for a presidential pardon, as is most certainly your prerogative. However, do not be surprised if your use of "he" and "him" in your post becomes the heated topic of discussion, rather than the merits of a pardon, the justness of the verdict, transgender rights in the military, or medical treatment of prisoners.

Lastly, most conservatives already strongly oppose a pardon for Manning. I hardly think the recent transgender issues will have much impact, particularly with a president who prides himself on eliminating DADT.

Good luck with your efforts for a commutation or pardon. You appear to face a very uphill battle.

[christx30]

89. The use of the pronoun thing

was not a conscious decision on my part. It was a slip up while quickly posting during my lunch break.
I don't really care about the transexual thing. As long as one is happy, and not hurting one one else, then do what you want.
But if your life is on the line, just try to get out of prison first before you say "by the way. I'm also a woman. Just FYI". Because if you open yourself up too much, you're going to alienate a large chunk of middle America.
But if the army doesn't usually pay for gender reorientation therapy for the rest of their troops, it shouldn't for Manning. She may think she needs it, but it's not cancer or a broken leg. The army is not going to care

[msanthrope]

7. If this is what Manning really wants, then it's time to make a deal with the feds. nt

[Ilsa]

8. I heard an AP report and the commentary afterwards

Indicated that the Army must provide Chelsea Manning with medical care, and that includes transgender hormone therapy. The doctors will testify that it is part of her medical care.

[treestar]

34. That's what I thought

They should provide it as needed medical care.

[JI7]

12. what if others give or raise money for this ? would they allow her to get the surgery

and whatever other things she will need ?

[branford]

16. I certainly do not mean to be snarky, but the Army will determine what Manning "needs."

I very much doubt that the Army provides for any type of transgender treatment or therapy for soldiers or veterans, even if the cost is covered by private sources

If the request is genuine, and not grandstanding by the attorneys, it will certainly be the subject of a very interesting lawsuit. Since transgender individuals still cannot serve even after the removal of DADT, I very much doubt Manning would win such a case before the trial court. Absent congressional or presidential action, the matter will really be decided on appeal, probably quite a long time from now.

[geek tragedy]

15. I would strongly recommend editing/self-deleting

This comes off as very transphobic.

[branford]

17. Although the comment could have been stated more diplomatically,

it does reflect the reality of the situation facing Manning.

Gender reassignment surgery provided without a lawsuit or presidential action seems VERY unlikely under current legal and social conditions, particularly in the military. However, as with any incarcerated individual, civilian or military, psychological counseling for any relevant issues must, or at least should, be provided.

[sgsmith]

18. Where did you get your MD?

Because the medical establishment DOES consider transgenderism a medical issue that requires treatment. That's the basis for recent court ruling around the country that require prisons to provide HRT, and potentially surgery.

[JackBeck]

19. Liberty U.

[backscatter712]

29. Apply ice to the burn!

[branford]

21. Incarceration under military custody is not always comparable to the civilian system.

Absent presidential or congressional action that would explicitly permit surgery, I imagine that the anticipated lawsuit will be long, messy and very invasive for Manning.

Speaking as an attorney, I would be most interested in reading the briefs submitted by all sides. I certainly would not want to predict the outcome of such case.

I am also curious as to what conditions Manning will be held while at Leavenworth. In civilian prisons, transgender individuals are often placed in protective custody (i.e., solitary confinement) to protect them from the violence of fellow inmates. I imagine that the conditions facing the transgendered would not be demonstrably better in a military facility.

[Maedhros]

22. Thank you.

It's good to see at least one poster in this thread with an ounce of compassion.

[jessie04]

33. + 1000

.

[DainBramaged]

43. Benghazi!

[FreeState]

24. You might want to educate yourself a little

Try reading this thread. Your post comes off as transphobic.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3513616

[kestrel91316]

27. I removed my post. It upset some people, but I believe that to be completely unjustified.

If you'd prefer, I can discontinue my decades-long, unwavering support for LGBT's altogether and never say a word anywhere about you again. I'll just butt out and mind my own business.

I would hope you would know who your friends are here by now.

[branford]

30. The issues surrounding Manning are extremely emotional.

Offering legal or factual analysis that may be accurate, but does agree with the prevailing social mores of many at DU, is often castigated. You not only must support LGBT rights, as both you and I clearly do, you cannot provide countervailing context or information, even if entirely truthful or ultimately helpful to the cause.

One is often expected only to provide "compassionate" "support," rather than dealing with accurate facts and law.

As an attorney, it its often the reason for many a disagreement with my clients. They do not want to be told what they do not want to hear.

I would not take the umbrage personally.

[kestrel91316]

32. Careful. Talk like that will get you targeted as an enemy, too.

[branford]

35. I try very hard to be diplomatic!

I understand how accuracy and truthfulness can be construed as hurtful when an issue is new and raw. It's just one of the pitfalls of commenting on an anonymous message board. You've been here far longer than me, you cannot take these matters personally, nor let it dissuade you from liberal advocacy.

More importantly, I am very interested in seeing how the medical issues play out. I do not see the Army willingly providing hormone treatments, no less surgery. Nor do I anticipate that Congress will offer much relief.

However, the President, as Commander-In-Chief, does have a great deal of discretion. Nevertheless, given the numerous matters he is currently facing, the fact that he already rid the military of DADT, and his apparent dislike for Manning, I would not hold my breadth waiting for presidential assistance.

That leaves the courts. Oh boy . . . if Manning's lawyers seek judicial relief, it will be a long, drawn-out and viscous affair. Conservatives will be salivating at the opportunity to parade Manning as a "traitor" that "liberals" want the taxpayers to provide with "ungodly" and "disgusting" treatments so he could be something that "god did not intend." As the issue of hormone treatments and reassignment surgery while incarcerated has been inconsistently decided by lower courts in the civil justice system, I would not even hazard a guess to the outcome of any lawsuit by Manning.

[Jamastiene]

48. That is an incredibly childish attitude.

If someone merely educates you when you have said something ignorant about the LGBT community, that does not mean you need to set yourself as an enemy to our community. You did that, not anyone else. Just learn from it and move on. ffs, if something that simple causes you to threaten to "discontinue" support for the community, you obviously did not feel very strongly about supporting the community in the first place. Once someone educates you, it is up to you what to do with that new found information. You can either sulk, make passive-aggressive rude comments and act childish, like you seem to be doing right now, or learn from it and move on. There is no good reason to act like a petulant child over it.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

71. But those who would presume to educate too often act as if

innocent comments are determined blasphemy. A little tolerance goes a long way -- especially if you're asking for tolerance.

[Jamastiene]

78. In other words, grovel for it. n/t

[branford]

81. Do you really believe that it is better to accuse others of ignorance

or malice and demand compliance? A simple, friendly request will almost always achieve much better results than a stern lecture.

Also, keep in mind that even Manning's attorneys referred to her as "he" until the last few days. We've been writing about Manning for months, and old habits die hard.

Be very careful not to alienate those who would otherwise agree with you. It does not help the cause.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

82. Never. I'm at a loss to understand how you came to that conclusion.

In "olden times" people called on The Golden Rule. In more pragmatic terms it's catching more bees with honey than vinegar. Those who demand recognition without granting the same courtesies aren't looking for tolerance and equality; they're looking for domination. Such people deserve to be frustrated.

[Ilsa]

31. The comment I heard after an AP report

was that the hormone treatments are medical care and the military must provide for his medical care.

[branford]

38. Do you know if the military has ever provided hormone therapy in the past?

If not, particularly as many in the military brass are still irritated by the elimination of DADT, I would expect that they would fight HRT tooth and nail.

Interestingly, my understanding is that Obama, as Commander-In-Chief, could issue an order to provide HRT to Manning, and obviate the need for a lawsuit? What do you think are the chances the Obama burns political capital for Manning?

[One_Life_To_Give]

72. Move to Discharge too fast for it to be an issue.

My understanding is the Military moves so fast to Discharge the individual, that it's essentially a non-issue. Atleast some of the military psychiatrists are sympathetic but writing a script would out the individual. However what Chelsea has in her favor; US Bureau of Prisons does provide hormone therapy as does the VA

3. POLICY: It is VHA policy that medically necessary care is provided to enrolled or otherwise eligible intersex and transgender Veterans, including hormonal therapy, mental health
care, preoperative evaluation

[branford]

73. The roadblock is the actual transfer from the Army to the BOP. n/t

[idwiyo]

37. Arseholes. Nice to know that US military openly denies treatment for genetic medical condition.

[branford]

40. Manning's attorneys might share some of the blame.

If Manning is suffering from a medical condition, why didn't the defense attorneys immediately seek treatment, rather than wait until just after her conviction. Based upon what I've read, Manning identified as a woman even before she stole the documents.

If Manning's own counsel did not feel the medical condition warranted treatment throughout the many, many months of pre-trial proceedings and the actual trial, the military brass who already are not likely to be positively disposed to Manning, have some legal justification for doubting the sincerity of the defense allegations.

Although I have no objections to the treatments Manning is seeking, the prosecution might legitimately believe that the defense is simply engaging in attention-seeking tactics to minimize public approbation of their client or more preferable conditions of incarceration. It's the prosecution's job to be dubious of the defense.

Ironically, defense counsel might have been to sly for their own good, and it might now adversely effect Manning's ability to get the HRT or surgery.

[idwiyo]

42. Frankly I don't give a shit. Gender identity disorder is a genetic medical condition and must be

treated as medical condition. If Chelsea decided she must have it treated now, than it must be treated. Denying medical treatment is inhumane and should be illegal (assuming it isn't already). Denial of medical treatment in her case specifically smacks of malicious prosecution.

BTW, I would defend ANYONE's right for medical treatment.

[branford]

44. Whoa, idwiyo, you're shooting the messenger.

Slow down, I'm an ally, not an enemy.

I was simply offering a partial analysis of some the real legal difficulties that Manning will no doubt face as she attempts to get treatment while incarcerated by the military.

In fact, I explicitly stated that I have no objections to the treatments, and castigated the defense attorneys for a legal strategy that might actually diminish Manning's ability to get the treatments.

You also might be interested in a more detailed analysis provided by Jeralyn Merritt at Talkleft. The link is in Post #41.

[idwiyo]

46. It was not directed at you. Just my opinion about scum who would refuse medical treatment. Why

doesn't matter. Who needs treatment doesn't matter. Access to medical care is a Basic Human Right. IMNSHO.

[branford]

47. Unfortunately, the "why" really does matter.

The fact is that many incarcerated individuals do not receive proper medical or psychological care for a multitude of illnesses, not just GID.

If we are to change the law and culture, the "why" must be both acknowledged and effectively addressed, by public awareness, legislation, and if necessary, the courts.

Simply demanding change is not enough. Knowing the "why" enables us to develop strategies and win the battles that must be won.

[branford]

41. Jeralyn Merritt, at TalkLeft, has an informative comment about possible treatment for Manning.

If anyone is interested, it can be found here.

[happyslug]

50. Remember, if something is issued by the US Government, it is NOT subject to Copywrite

Thus you can quote whatever the ARMY put out in its entirety, not restricted to the four paragraphs restrictions of DU as to copyrighted material.

We are aware that counsel representing the soldier convicted under the name Bradley Manning conveys that his client now openly identifies as female.

There is no mechanism in place for the US military to provide hormone therapy or gender-reassignment surgery for her.

Inmates at the United States Disciplinary Barracks and Joint Regional Correctional Facility are treated equally regardless of race, rank, ethnicity or sexual orientation. All inmates are considered soldiers and are treated as such with access to mental health professionals, including a psychiatrist, psychologist, social workers and behavioral science noncommissioned officers with experience in addressing the needs of military personnel in pre- and post-trial confinement.

[wercal]

51. As far as I can tell, Manning is still in the Army....

Which makes hormone treatments very unlikely under current regulations.

[Doctor_J]

65. Well, there's a load off my mind!

I guess Fox Nation Has one less thing to bitch about now

[billyoc]

77. Anybody here ever do military time?

You're lucky if you get a blanket.



With (extreme)luck, she'll be out in eight years.

[underpants]

79. 1,214 days

Cav Scout 1990-1993. Never hat heat in the field...in Germany

[jmowreader]

84. I think he means military PRISON time. There's a difference.

I looked up the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network website to see what it says about transgenderism...

Transgender service members who are thinking about becoming more public or who begin to transition while in the military should be aware of the difficulties in doing so. The military medical system does not recognize the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders and will not provide transition-related medical care. As stated above, being transgender is considered a medically disqualifying condition, and sex reassignment surgery and/or other medical procedures will become known by the military during the service member’s regularly scheduled physical exam. Because the military classifies sex reassignment surgery under “major abnormalities and defects of the genitalia,” once this condition is known by the military, the service member will likely be discharged. Furthermore, even if the candidate has not had surgery but identifies as transgender, the military considers this to be a disqualifying psychiatric condition, labeling “transsexualism” and “transvestism” as “psychosexual conditions.”

Also consider that Manning knew she had gender dysphoria before entering service, and in fact joined the Army to see if it would "make a man out of him." It's disqualifying for military service so we're looking at a fraudulent enlistment - a crime punishable by two years in the stockade and dishonorable discharge. Normally they just throw your ass out because preferring a general court-martial is a pain in the ass, but normally the dysphoric don't post hundreds of thousands of secret documents to the Internet before they come out. She's already staring down 35 years of scrubbing pots for the espionage conviction so they won't be sympathetic to her dysphoria, and are probably thinking, "is Manning sincere, or doing this to get his sentence overturned?" (Don't everyone come back "it's her! her! her!" I did that on purpose - the guys in green suits with little sculptures of birds on their shoulders still think of Manning as male.)

Manning's only hope is to petition for immediate dishonorable discharge and transfer to the Bureau of Prisons, which will provide the care she seeks. As long as she remains a member of the military, she's going to be assigned to Army Corrections Command, who will house her by birth gender...which, of course, is male.

[NaturalHigh]

90. If Manning enlisted and denied that he had gender issues...

then yes, that's fraudulent enlistment. Everyone is warned repeatedly about fraudulent enlistment of any kind before signing the contract.

[jmowreader]

91. Here's where it gets complex

Manning has already been sent up for 35 years. They're not going to convene another court-martial for a relatively minor charge.

There is a very long list of people who got some 'splainin' to do, like the commander who sent her to Iraq after it was recommended they discharge her.