U.S. Army says does not provide sex-reassignment surgery

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

U.S. Army says does not provide sex-reassignment surgery

Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:05am EDT

(Reuters) - The U.S. Army does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery, a spokeswoman said on Thursday after U.S. soldier Bradley Manning, convicted of handing over secrets to WikiLeaks, said he was female and wanted to live as a woman named Chelsea.

A court-martial sentenced Manning to 35 years in prison on Wednesday.

"The Army does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery," an Army spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.

Military inmates have access to mental health professionals, including a psychiatrist, psychologist, social workers and behavioral science specialists, she said.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Scott Malone)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/22/us-usa-wikileaks-manning-army-idUSBRE97L0NV20130822

[bravenak]

1. We need to start a fund to help her get the proper treatment.

I have heard transgender people say their body was like a prison to them. That has to cause severe psychological problems.
There should be a way for her supporters to assist her in her transition.

[MineralMan]

2. That's not a bad idea. However, as long as she is

incarcerated, medical decisions about such treatment will be made by the team where she is incarcerated. A lawsuit could be filed, though, if they deny her the hormone treatments for the transition. That's the reality of it.

[bravenak]

11. That's sad.

I hope they file suit and soon.

[MineralMan]

12. I assume they will, and helping to fund that suit is important.

It's not going to be an easy one to win, though. The military is given broad leeway on such issues, traditionally. The UCMJ is a separate system from the civilian system, and only after the appeals process is complete within the military justice system can cases be taken outside of that system. It can be a very, very difficult process, and may take longer than the time Pvt. Manning will end up serving.

To start with, there won't be any medications like hormones from outside the system allowed to Manning. If it is not prescribed within the system, it won't happen. That's a certainty.

[bravenak]

14. I'll just hope for Scalia or Thomas to retire.

We need to get a policy change. It's unfair.

[MineralMan]

15. That seems unlikely in the near term.

Sadly.

[bravenak]

16. Also not fair.

[wild bird]

3. Would the Army even allow someone in custody to accept private funds

for a sex change operation?
I don't even know if the Army would allow the operation at all as long as one is a prisoner.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. No fund required, actually

Manning is a dual US/UK citizen. Gender reassignment surgery is available on the NHS provided that the candidate for reassignment passes the psychological screening.

But a broader problem here is why one would expect the military authorities to allow a prisoner to undergo what they would see as an elective surgical procedure (they probably won't).

[msanthrope]

6. He is not a UK citizen, per his attorney.

http://www.armycourtmartialdefense.info/2011/02/clarification-regarding-pfc-mannings.html

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. His attorney is probably mistaken

his mother was a UK citizen, therefore he acquired UK citizenship by birth. Whether he has a UK passport or considers himself a UK citizen is something else again; unless he's specifically disclaimed and renounced his British citizenship, that is.

[msanthrope]

8. You should let his attorney know that. nt

[Spider Jerusalem]

9. His attorney is apparently incompetent if he can't figure it out himself.

British Nationality Act, 1981. Note that "British citizen otherwise than descent" applies to Manning's mother who is a British citizen by birth.

(1)A person born outside the United Kingdom [and the qualifying territories] after commencement shall be a British citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother—
(a)is a British citizen otherwise than by descent

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/61/section/2

[msanthrope]

13. Again, I think you should contact his attorney with your brilliant plan for Manning

to get sex-reassignment surgery. Truly. I can only hope you post the letter, here....

[Spider Jerusalem]

17. Sorry...

but his attorney is clearly either incompetent or stupid. (And Manning isn't going to get gender-reassignment surgery or hormone therapy, probably, so long as he remains a prisoner.)

[markiv]

5. 'their body was like a prison to them'

you know what will be even more like a prison to Pvt Manning?

The United States Disciplinary Barracks, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

I've heard that most who go there, say 'it's like a prison'

[bravenak]

10. Do you have a good point?

I'd like for him to get a pardon. All prisons are like prisons. Military prison is not as bad as our state prisons where upon entering you may be considered a validated gang member because of some old tattoos you got when you were fifteen. As a validated gang member you will be put in solitary for the duration of your stay. No time limit. Forever. And nobody on the Internet will give a crap about your cruel and unusual punishment. It happened to my cousin. 2 years in solitary because as a teen he was an idiot and got tattoos.
Okay snarkface?