Chelsea Manning needs respect, not neglect

[Amelia Pond]

Chelsea Manning needs respect, not neglect
Ana Rodriguez, September 8th, 2013

A day after U.S. Army Pvt. Bradley Manning was found guilty of 20 charges, which included espionage, theft and fraud, a statement was released in which Manning expressed that she would like to be known as Chelsea E. Manning and be referred to by female pronouns.

She plans to undergo hormone therapy as soon as possible in Fort Leavenworth military prison in Kansas where she is due to serve her 35-year sentence for having leaked hundreds of thousands of classified documents to the website Wikileaks.

Kimberly Lewis, a spokesperson for the prison, told NBC News that the Army doesn't provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery. In an article by The Guardian, the prison stated that it does not provide transgender treatment beyond offering psychiatric support.

In the same article in The Guardian, Mara Keisling, who is the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality stated, "It is illegal, it's unconstitutional. That is fairly settled law under the Eighth Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment. The medical community is now unified that transition-related care is legitimate medical care that can successfully treat a serious underlying condition."

[Jamie D]

Ultimately, the problem for Chelsea Manning is that she is in the military service, and many Constitutional protection afforded civilians, are exempted in the 5th Amendment, stating:  "... except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger."

That is why she was tried in a military court, and was not afforded bail, etc.

The military justice system is not held to the same scrutiny as the civil or criminal justice systems are in this country.  They operate under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.