Chelsea Manning says she’s being denied gender …

After a year of a continuously requesting gender reassignment treatment, Chelsea Manning, convicted national security leaker formerly known as Private Bradley Edward Manning, said she's got nothing but "silence" and then "lip service" from the military.

Manning, 26, was diagnosed four times with gender dysphoria and doctors have recommended "immediate medical treatment," for her, according to a statement by Manning's lawyer, David E. Coombs.

But in a recent public release statement, Manning said she's been forced to live uncomfortably in her own skin, despite her constitutional right to be provided medical treatment for gender dysphoria.

"For example, in my daily life I am reminded of this when I look at the name on my badge, the first initial sewed onto my clothing, the hair and grooming standards that I adhere to, and the titles and courtesies used by the staff," read a statement by Manning sent to NBC News.

Manning's lawyer has stated that they are willing to sue if the military doesn't cooperate soon.

"The military failure to comply with the treatment recommendations and protocols for Chelsea's diagnosed gender dysphoria violates her well-established constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, read a statement by Coombs.

The military issued a statement but was unable to give any specifics on Mannings case.

"The Department of Defense has approved a request by Army leadership to provide required medical treatment for an inmate diagnosed with gender dysphoria. I can't discuss the medical needs of an individual," Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Alayne Conway said to NBC. In general terms, the initial stages of treatment for individuals with gender dysphoria include psychotherapy and elements of the 'real life experience' therapy. treatment for the condition is highly individualized and generally is sequential and graduated."

Manning is serving a 35-year-sentence in prison after releasing classified national security information to the public through the website WikiLeaks. Since her arrest, she has not requested to be moved to a civilian or female security facility.

"Prison is prison regardless of whether you are military or civilian, and regardless of what gender you are," wrote Manning.

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Chelsea Manning Isn’t Getting Treatment, Despite Gov’t …

Manning's doctors have deemed her transition-related care medically necessary, but a new statement from the Wikileaks source says Defense Department promises are just lip service.

Despite reports that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel had approved Wikileaks source Chelsea Manning's request to begin hormone therapy while in military prison, a new statement from the incarcerated trans woman says she hasn't received any such treatment.

"This time last year, I publicly asked that I be provided with a treatment plan, to bring my body more in line with my gender identity," Manning wrote in a statement provided to NBC News this week. "Unfortunately, despite silence, then lip-service, the military has not yet provided me with any such treatment."

Manning then reiterates an argument often advanced by her attorney, pointing out that denial of treatment deemed medically necessary constitutes a violation of her basic rights. Last month, the Associated Press reported that the Department of Defense was considering allowing Manning to transition while incarcerated, but the only sources named were anonymous, and judging by Manning's latest statement, there has been no further progress from the Department on the issue.

"Treatment is, as a matter of law, about medical necessity," she writes. She goes on to detail the strictly regimented gender presentation mandated by military prison policy, and notes that these requirements including the name sewn onto her clothes, pronouns used to refer to her, and grooming standards to which she must adhere restrict her ability to express herself based on her gender identity.

Manning's statement also clarifies that she has never requested to be transferred to a civilian facility a request which Manning's attorney accused the Pentagon of strategically leaking to cover up its unwillingness to grant the requests Manning has made. Manning has requested access to standard care for gender dysphoria, with which several military doctors have diagnosed her and deemed such treatment medically necessary. The treatment Manning has requested includes access to hormone therapy, and she has made no indication of seeking any gender-affirming surgeries.

Manning is currently serving out a 35-year sentence for leaking classified documents to the public via the WikiLeaks website, and officially came out as transgender last August after she was sentenced. She has since been diagnosed by a number of military doctors with gender dysphoria, an incongruence between one's assigned gender and the one with which they identify. Hormone replacement therapy is one of a number of recommended courses of treatment for gender dysphoria, as outlined by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health'sStandards of Care, and as supported by the American Medical Association.

Manning's attorney has previously indicated the possibility of filing anEighth Amendment lawsuit if the military continued to deny his client the treatment. However, the Army has been resistant to providing that treatment, pointing to a military regulation that determines any transition-related treatment, or even a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, as grounds for discharge and evidence of a "mental illness."

But in Manning's case, she cannot be discharged from the Army while she is serving out her sentence. This leaves the military with limited options: deny her treatment in a military prison and face legal challenges, or treat her in a military facility and set a new precedent.

"Ultimately, I just want to be able to live my life as the person I am, and to be able to be comfortable in my own skin," Manning writes.

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Chelsea Manning Isn't Getting Treatment, Despite Gov't ...

Chelsea Manning Isn’t Getting Treatment, Despite Gov’t ‘Lip Service’

Manning's doctors have deemed her transition-related care medically necessary, but a new statement from the Wikileaks source says Defense Department promises are just lip service.

Despite reports that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel had approved Wikileaks source Chelsea Manning's request to begin hormone therapy while in military prison, a new statement from the incarcerated trans woman says she hasn't received any such treatment.

"This time last year, I publicly asked that I be provided with a treatment plan, to bring my body more in line with my gender identity," Manning wrote in a statement provided to NBC News this week. "Unfortunately, despite silence, then lip-service, the military has not yet provided me with any such treatment."

Manning then reiterates an argument often advanced by her attorney, pointing out that denial of treatment deemed medically necessary constitutes a violation of her basic rights. Last month, the Associated Press reported that the Department of Defense was considering allowing Manning to transition while incarcerated, but the only sources named were anonymous, and judging by Manning's latest statement, there has been no further progress from the Department on the issue.

"Treatment is, as a matter of law, about medical necessity," she writes. She goes on to detail the strictly regimented gender presentation mandated by military prison policy, and notes that these requirements including the name sewn onto her clothes, pronouns used to refer to her, and grooming standards to which she must adhere restrict her ability to express herself based on her gender identity.

Manning's statement also clarifies that she has never requested to be transferred to a civilian facility a request which Manning's attorney accused the Pentagon of strategically leaking to cover up its unwillingness to grant the requests Manning has made. Manning has requested access to standard care for gender dysphoria, with which several military doctors have diagnosed her and deemed such treatment medically necessary. The treatment Manning has requested includes access to hormone therapy, and she has made no indication of seeking any gender-affirming surgeries.

Manning is currently serving out a 35-year sentence for leaking classified documents to the public via the WikiLeaks website, and officially came out as transgender last August after she was sentenced. She has since been diagnosed by a number of military doctors with gender dysphoria, an incongruence between one's assigned gender and the one with which they identify. Hormone replacement therapy is one of a number of recommended courses of treatment for gender dysphoria, as outlined by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health'sStandards of Care, and as supported by the American Medical Association.

Manning's attorney has previously indicated the possibility of filing anEighth Amendment lawsuit if the military continued to deny his client the treatment. However, the Army has been resistant to providing that treatment, pointing to a military regulation that determines any transition-related treatment, or even a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, as grounds for discharge and evidence of a "mental illness."

But in Manning's case, she cannot be discharged from the Army while she is serving out her sentence. This leaves the military with limited options: deny her treatment in a military prison and face legal challenges, or treat her in a military facility and set a new precedent.

"Ultimately, I just want to be able to live my life as the person I am, and to be able to be comfortable in my own skin," Manning writes.

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Chelsea Manning Isn't Getting Treatment, Despite Gov't 'Lip Service'

Chelsea Manning still hasn’t received promised gender transition treatment

Chelsea Manning, who is currently serving a 35-year sentence for leaking classified national security documents to WikiLeaks, has accused the military of refusing to provide promised hormone treatment and gender transition assistance, despite authorization from Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. According to Manning, she has received nothing more than lip service from Hagel and the Army as she attempts to move forward with her transition.

In a public statement released via NBC News, the former Army private explained that the militarys failure to provide treatment impinges on her medical needs:

Treatment is, as a matter of law, about medical necessity. Such as treating depression or anxiety. But, receiving treatment is very important to me, as a person. It has a little bit to do with the perception of myself the sense of unending discomfort with the gender that has been imposed on me but not out of vanity.

For example, in my daily life I am reminded of this when I look at the name on my badge, the first initial sewed onto my clothing, the hair and grooming standards that I adhere to, and the titles and courtesies used by the staff. Ultimately, I just want to be able to live my life as the person that I am, and to be able to feel comfortable in my own skin.

Last month, Hagel approved an Army recommendation to allow the early stages of gender transition, including counseling and dress code changes. Manning has already begun what the military is calling real life experience therapy, ostensibly covering the counseling requirement, but her lawyer, David Coombs, says the military has failed to move forward with the rest of the recommendation. On Friday, Coombs also issued a statement asserting that he is prepared to sue if the military does not begin Mannings treatment:

The militarys failure to comply with the treatment recommendations and protocols for Chelseas diagnosed gender dysphoria violates her well-established constitutional rights to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. The Constitution does not authorize prison officials to withhold medically necessary care from a prisoner because of the arbitrary decisions of governmental officials.

The military has yet to announce when Manning will begin hormone treatment.

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Chelsea Manning still hasn’t received promised gender transition treatment

ACLU to Sue Military If Chelsea Manning Isn’t Given …

ACLU lawyers for convicted Wikileaker Chelsea Manning have announced they will sue the military if the Army fails to provide Manning with appropriate medical treatment by September 4.

Buzzfeed reports:

Our constitution requires that the government provide medically necessary care to the individuals it holds in its custody, Chase Strangio, staff attorney with the ACLUs Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project, said in a statement. It is cruel and unusual punishment to withhold from Ms. Manning the care that the militarys own doctors have deemed medically necessary. The Army is withholding her care for political reasons, which is simply not permitted by our Constitution.

In a letter dated Aug. 11, Mannings lawyers note [t]he Armys continued indifference to Ms. Mannings serious medical need for treatment, despite the recommendations of the Armys own medical providers.

Last month, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Manning would receive "rudimentary treatment" for her gender transition.

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ACLU to Sue Military If Chelsea Manning Isn't Given ...

Manning ‘not receiving gender help’

1 day ago By Press Association

National security leaker Chelsea Manning is not receiving medical treatment for her gender identity condition, it has been claimed.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Manning's civilian lawyer, David Coombs, have told the US Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and officials including defence secretary Chuck Hagel, that a lawsuit will be filed if it is not confirmed by September 4 that the treatment will be provided for the army private.

Manning, who changed her name from Bradley after her conviction, is serving a 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth for sending classified documents to the WikiLeaks website. She has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the sense of being a woman in a man's body.

Manning sought evaluation and treatment after she was sent to Fort Leavenworth last September. She is asking for hormone therapy and to be able to live as a woman.

Military doctors confirmed the gender dysphoria diagnosis and recommended a treatment plan, but she has yet to receive any, according to the ACLU.

"The continued failure to provide Ms Manning with this treatment is inconsistent with well-established medical protocols and basic constitutional principles," Chase Strangio, lawyer for the ACLU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project, said.

Mr Strangio said refusing to treat Manning was "cruel and unusual punishment" and accused the US Army of withholding treatment for political reasons.

The lack of treatment puts Manning at risk for serious long-term physical and psychological harm, her advocates say.

Former intelligence analyst Manning was sentenced last year for six Espionage Act violations and 14 other offences for giving WikiLeaks more than 700,000 secret military and US State Department documents.

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Manning 'not receiving gender help'

Transgender WikiLeaks inmate yet to receive hormone treatment

Published: 11:47AM Wednesday August 13, 2014 Source: AP

Convicted national security leaker Chelsea Manning isn't receiving medical treatment for her gender identity condition as previously approved by Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, the American Civil Liberties Union and Manning's attorney said.

The ACLU and Manning's civilian attorney, David E. Coombs, notified the US Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth and several defence department officials, including Hagel, that a lawsuit will be filed if military officials do not confirm by September 4 that the treatment will be provided for Manning.

Manning is serving a 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth for sending classified documents to the WikiLeaks website.

Manning, who changed her name from Bradley after her conviction, has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the sense of being a woman in a man's body.

Manning sought evaluation and treatment after she was sent to the Fort Leavenworth prison in September 2013.

She is asking for hormone therapy and to be able to live as a woman. Military doctors confirmed the gender dysphoria diagnosis and recommended a treatment plan, but she has yet to receive any treatment, according to the ACLU.

"The continued failure to provide Ms Manning with this treatment is inconsistent with well-established medical protocols and basic constitutional principles," Chase Strangio, attorney for the ACLU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project, said in a statement.

Strangio said refusing to treat Manning is "cruel and unusual punishment" and contended the Army is withholding treatment for political reasons.

The lack of treatment puts Manning at risk for serious long-term physical and psychological harm, her advocates said.

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Transgender WikiLeaks inmate yet to receive hormone treatment

Attorney: Manning not receiving hormone therapy – Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports

By MARGARET STAFFORD Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Convicted national security leaker Chelsea Manning isn't receiving medical treatment for her gender identity condition as previously approved by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, the American Civil Liberties Union and Manning's attorney said Tuesday.

The ACLU and Manning's civilian attorney, David E. Coombs, on Tuesday notified the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth and several defense department officials, including Hagel, that a lawsuit will be filed if military officials do not confirm by Sept. 4 that the treatment will be provided for Manning.

Manning is serving a 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth for sending classified documents to the WikiLeaks website. Manning, who changed her name from Bradley after her conviction, has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the sense of being a woman in a man's body.

Manning sought evaluation and treatment after she was sent to the Fort Leavenworth prison in September 2013. She is asking for hormone therapy and to be able to live as a woman. Military doctors confirmed the gender dysphoria diagnosis and recommended a treatment plan, but she has yet to receive any treatment, according to the ACLU.

"The continued failure to provide Ms. Manning with this treatment is inconsistent with well-established medical protocols and basic constitutional principles," Chase Strangio, attorney for the ACLU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project, said in a statement.

Strangio said refusing to treat Manning is "cruel and unusual punishment" and contended the Army is withholding treatment for political reasons. The lack of treatment puts Manning at risk for serious long-term physical and psychological harm, her advocates said.

Calls to the U.S. Army and the military prison in Fort Leavenworth were not immediately returned.

The former intelligence analyst was sentenced last year for six Espionage Act violations and 14 other offenses for giving WikiLeaks more than 700,000 secret military and U.S. State Department documents.

Manning's request for treatment was the first ever made by a transgender military inmate. It conflicts with a policy that prohibits transgender people from serving in the U.S. military, but Manning can't be discharged from the service while serving her prison sentence.

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Attorney: Manning not receiving hormone therapy - Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports

Imprisoned Chelsea Manning not receiving approved gender therapy: attorney

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U.S. Army, Pfc. Chelsea Manning poses for a photo wearing a wig and lipstick. Manning is threatening to sue if she doesn't receive her approved gender therapy.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. The American Civil Liberties Union and an attorney say convicted national security leaker Chelsea Manning isnt receiving medical treatment for her gender identity condition as previously approved by Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.

The ACLU and Mannings civilian attorney sent a letter Tuesday to the U.S. Department of Defence and the federal military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, threatening to sue if Manning does not receive treatment for gender dysphoria, the sense of being a woman in a mans body.

Manning, who changed her name from Bradley after her conviction, is serving a 35-year sentence for giving WikiLeaks classified documents. She has asked for hormone therapy and to be able to live as a woman.

Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday for the U.S. Army and the prison.

The Canadian Press, 2014

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Imprisoned Chelsea Manning not receiving approved gender therapy: attorney

Attorney, ACLU say Manning not receiving approved gender therapy in prison, threaten lawsuit

Published August 12, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. The American Civil Liberties Union and an attorney say convicted national security leaker Chelsea Manning isn't receiving medical treatment for her gender identity condition as previously approved by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

The ACLU and Manning's civilian attorney sent a letter Tuesday to the U.S. Department of Defense and the federal military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas threatening to sue if Manning does not receive treatment for gender dysphoria, the sense of being a woman in a man's body.

Manning, who changed her name from Bradley after her conviction, is serving a 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth for giving WikiLeaks classified documents. She has asked for hormone therapy and to be able to live as a woman.

Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday for the U.S. Army and the prison.

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Attorney, ACLU say Manning not receiving approved gender therapy in prison, threaten lawsuit