The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Chelsea Manning to undergo gender transition surgery in prison
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Army Private Chelsea Manning will receive gender reassignment surgery while in prison, her lawyer told BuzzFeed News on Tuesday.
Manning is serving a 35-year prison sentence for violating the Espionage Act after leaking national security secrets to WikiLeaks.
“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,” Ms Manning said in a statement her lawyers provided to BuzzFeed.
“In any case," she said, "I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need.”
Ms Manning is serving her sentence at the Army facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. She’s eligible for parole in six years.
Between 1,300 and 7,000 transgender troops are enlisted in the active-duty force, according to a RAND Corp study. Researchers estimate that between 30 and 140 wish to seek hormone treatment and 25 to 130 would undergo surgery. The projected price tag would cost between $2 million and $8 million per year.