Manning’s hunger strike began on September 10, as Manning faced potential years in solitary following her suicide attempt, which an expert psychologist with years of treating gender dysphoria attributed to the government’s refusal to treat Manning, who is transgender.
Manning still faces potential solitary confinement and other punishments for her suicide attempts; this will be determined by an administrative panel, without representation — it’s the same panel that previously took away her yard privileges for having an expired tube of toothpaste in her cell. She is serving a 35 year prison sentence for whistleblowing while serving as a US Army intelligence analyst.
“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,” said Chelsea Manning in a statement to her attorneys. “But it is hard not to wonder why it has taken so long. Also, why were such drastic measures needed? The surgery was recommended back in April 2016. The recommendations for my hair length were back in 2014. In any case, I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need.”“It is a relief to hear that the government has finally agreed to move forward with providing Chelsea with the health care that she is legally entitled to and is medically needed. We hope that they will act to provide this care without delay in order to ensure that her suffering does not continue,” said Chase Strangio, Chelsea’s attorney at the ACLU, “This medical care is absolutely vital for Chelsea. It was the government’s refusal to provide her with the necessary care that led her to attempt suicide earlier this year, and it was all the more troubling when she became subject to an investigation and possible punishment in connection with the suicide attempt. We hope that the government recognizes that charging Chelsea with the crime of being denied essential health care is outrageous and drops those charges.”
Chelsea ends hunger strike after Army cooperates
[Free Chelsea Manning]
Chelsea Manning ends hunger strike after US Army agrees to gender surgery
[BBC]