Manning will be the first transgender prisoner in the US to receive the surgical procedure.
Chelsea Manning ended her four-day hunger-strike yesterday after the military agreed to provide her with gender reassignment surgery. The military has yet to confirm or comment on their decision but lawyers for Manning claim that they were approached by Army officials yesterday who confirmed that Manning would receive the health care she requested.
The 28-year-old is serving a 35-year prison term for passing classified files to WikiLeaks. She was convicted in 2013 of six Espionage Act violations and 14 other offenses for leaking more than 700,000 secret military and State Department documents, plus some battlefield video.
Formerly known as Bradley Manning, the army private revealed after being convicted of espionage that she identified as a woman.
“I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that. This is all that I wanted – for them to let me be me,” Manning said in a statement.
In July, Manning attempted suicide over what her representatives said was the government’s denial of appropriate treatment for her gender dysphoria.
The ACLU, which is representing Manning, said in a statement that her treatment will begin with surgery that was recommended by her psychologist.
“This is a monumental day for Chelsea, who can now enjoy some peace knowing that critically needed medical care is forthcoming,” ACLU attorney Chase Strangio said in a statement.
