Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IMPRISONED TRANSGENDER SOLDIER Chelsea Manning started a hunger strike today to protest what she says is the military’s refusal to treat her gender dysphoria, her representatives said.
Originally called Bradley, Manning was convicted in August 2013 of espionage and other offenses after admitting to handing classified documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.
She attempted suicide in July and has repeatedly decried her treatment in a men’s military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where she is appealing her 35-year sentence.
‘Ignored, delayed, mocked’
“I need help,” Manning wrote in a statement published by her media team.
“I have asked for help time and time again for six years and through five separate confinement locations. My request has only been ignored, delayed, mocked, given trinkets and lip service by the prison, the military and this administration.”
Fort Leavenworth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
After she was first sentenced, Manning announced that she identified as a woman, and she later obtained legal authorisation to change names and receive hormone therapy.
But she is still required to wear her hair short in accordance with male military grooming standards and is suing the government over the issue.
Dignity
“In response to virtually every request, I have been granted limited, if any, dignity and respect. Just more pain and anguish,” the 28-year-old private wrote.
She said the strike could last until she is permanently incapacitated or dead.
In June, the Pentagon said it would begin allowing openly transgender people to serve in the military and would cover related medical expenses, including gender reassignment surgeries when these are deemed “medically necessary.”
It is not clear if the new policy also applies to military prisoners.
- © AFP 2016.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Definitely nothing to do with climate change though, this is totally normal. Yep.
@Ribeard Ó Fiachna: Temperatures have often hit Spain levels in parts of the UK in the middle of summer. Less so in Ireland. Hence the breezy spring conditions today.
Everything climate related is “climate change” these days. Interesting fact, the temperature of the earth never stays the same and at different times in the earth’s history it has been much higher than it is at present.
@Irish Opinion: there’s always the expert denier on these stories ready with some ignorant nonsense about how the earth was hotter in the past.
Completely ignorant of the rates of change, or any science really.
We have experts who have been educated to a high level who then go on to study these things in dept who come to conclusions and theories.
And do experiments and long studies. These people all say the same thing – that we are in a climate emergency.
Then we have people for whom this truth is inconvenient, who just simply deny this and look for others who think the same.
They somehow feel their wayward opinion is valuable.
@Fozz: I love people who get their knickers in a twist over a simple fact. It doesnt fit in with their agenda.
@Irish Opinion: what agenda is that? The truth? Much better than the deniers who would rather believe there is nothing happening because reading a scientific study is hard when you can just watch a YouTube video telling you to not be a sheep or some other nonsense.
Sensationalist headline.. with a 30% chance of happening .. 70% chance it won’t lads
29 degrees forecast next tuesday for cork yuuuccckk
@Larry Roe: Ahh yes, crisp and dry time.
@Larry Roe: top tip, just embrace the sweat and damp clothes, it’s going to happen, everyone will feel the same, dress accordingly. Embrace the heat.
have your say