Manning states, "I am female"

[kılıç_mehmet]

One day after being sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking vast archives of secret government files to WikiLeaks, Pfc. Bradley Manning said Thursday that he is female and wants to be known as Chelsea.

In a statement read on the “Today” show during an appearance by his defense lawyer, David E. Coombs, Private Manning said he had felt that he was female since childhood, a fact that was discussed during his court-martial.

“As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me,” the statement said. “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.”

Private Manning’s decision to live as a woman raises questions of how the Army prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he will be held, will respond. A spokeswoman for the prison recently told Courthouse News that the prison does not provide hormone therapy or gender-reassignment surgery. As is the case for all soldiers, transgender inmates are only eligible for psychiatric care, she said.

When asked whether Private Manning’s ultimate goal was to be housed in prison with women, instead of men, Mr. Coombs said, “No, I think the ultimate goal is to be comfortable in her skin and to be the person that she’s never had an opportunity to be.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/us/bra...emale.html

I have been a supporter of Manning since I first learned of his whistle blowing. Of course, since I pay little attention to the news, I learned of him months after the incident was made public via the media.

The fact that the country would punish him for exposing the corruption within our government only further engenders my distrust and dislike for this country.

Well, disregarding this revelation, I must add that disclosure of secret documents is a crime, mate. Its something like treason you know. And the proper punishment for treason is actually death, however he got away with a lot less.
Not that I really do care what the American gov. does with him, but if that happened here, I'd have howled for the blood of the person who humiliated our country and people to the outside world. Not that we have anything to hide, but when you do, it should remain hidden. Though I guess it also served as a means to show the US that it should secure its classified info better.

[CapnAwesome]

Well good luck being a female in male military prison. I'm sure that'll work out well for you.

[Darth]

I hardly think it's treason if you're revealing that your government is itself guilty of treason.

Fairly sure he would have had to have sworn to uphold and protect the constitution, and to follow lawful orders (i.e, not going against the constitution). If you made that oath, and then found that the government was infringing on any constitutional right, would you not be bound to try to put a stop to it?

[kılıç_mehmet]

Well good luck being a female in male military prison. I'm sure that'll work out well for you.

I'm sure he...errrm sorry, she will be the only one enjoying dropping the soap in the showers.

I hardly think it's treason if you're revealing that your government is itself guilty of treason.

Governments cannot be guilty of treason, people can.
And obviously he was the one who got the conviction, not the government.