You might recall that Pfc. Bradley Manning was found guilty of violating parts of the Espionage Act of 1917 when he confessed to leaking sensitive government files. Although he was acquitted of aiding the enemy, Manning was given a 35-year prison sentence, which he is currently serving at Ft. Leavenworth. <\/p>\n
Since 2013, Manning officially changed his name to Chelsea and with the ACLU behind him, has been lobbying heavily for the Army to pay for his gender transition behind bars. Manning and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit in September alleging he was at risk of self-harm, such as self-castration, without more focused treatment. <\/p>\n
The Army has finally caved. <\/p>\n
A memo obtained by The Associated Press documents the militarys first approval of such treatment for an active service member. Col. Erica Nelson, Commandant of Fort Leavenworth said, After carefully considering the recommendation that (hormone treatment) is medically appropriate and necessary I approve adding (it) to Inmate Mannings treatment plan. <\/p>\n
Currently, transgenders are not allowed to serve in the U.S. military and the Defense Department does not provide such treatment. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does provide the treatment for veterans. (Never mind the fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs also manages to lose lists of veterans awaiting treatment for life-threatening illness thats another story) <\/p>\n
However, dont you think for a minute the Army is completely giving in to transgenderism. No siree. Yes, theyll pay for hormone treatments, but Chelsea is not allowed to grow her hair out! <\/p>\n
The commandants memo says Mannings hairstyle will be revisited seven months after hormone therapy begins. I wonder if shell also get a style consultation? <\/p>\n
Youve heard of white guilt? Perhaps it was straight guilt that led the Army to take this unprecedented move. <\/p>\n
During his case, lawyers for Pfc. Bradley Manning argued that his struggles as a gay soldier in an environment hostile to homosexuality contributed to mental and emotional problems that should have barred him from having access to sensitive material, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. <\/p>\n
According to Charismas Jennifer LeClaire, Mannings defense attorneys essentially argued that he leaked the critical intelligence because he was a gay soldier serving in the age of dont ask, dont tell and because he felt like a woman trapped in a mans body. <\/p>\n
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