The Army has agreed to let Chelsea Manning undergo gender transition surgery after Manning carried out a four-day hunger strike.
The military has yet to confirm their decision, but Manning's lawyer told Buzzfeed that they will provide the surgery.
Manning is currently serving 35 years in a military prison for violating the Espionage Act after she sent about 750,000 classified documents to WikiLeaks in 2013.
Manning said in a statement via her lawyer, “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. 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.”
Manning attempted suicide in July and now faces new charges related to her suicide attempt. In April, her psychologist recommended the surgery for Manning as a result of her gender dysmorphia.
Manning's lawyer revealed that the military concluded that the Department of Defense’s instruction for “In-Service Transition” applies to her. However, Manning will still have to keep her hair short in accordance with with the military's male grooming standards until she undergoes the surgery.
No prisoner in the United States has ever received gender reassignment surgery.