Quote of the Day

"I am Chelsea Manning."—Chelsea Manning, nee Bradley, in a statement publicly disclosing that she is trans and would like to begin transitioning. Yesterday, Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison after leaking classified documents containing information about the United States government's foreign policy and diplomatic operations.

In a decent nation where prisoners were treated with dignity, where healthcare were considered a right rather than a privilege, and where transitioning were universally considered basic healthcare for trans* people who want to transition, the path for Chelsea Manning moving forward would be clear. But I don't know what will happen in the US, which is not that nation.

The full text of Manning's statement:

Subject: The Next Stage of My Life

I want to thank everybody who has supported me over the last three years. Throughout this long ordeal, your letters of support and encouragement have helped keep me strong. I am forever indebted to those who wrote to me, made a donation to my defense fund, or came to watch a portion of the trial. I would especially like to thank Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network for their tireless efforts in raising awareness for my case and providing for my legal representation.

As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun (except in official mail to the confinement facility). I look forward to receiving letters from supporters and having the opportunity to write back.

Thank you,

Chelsea E. Manning

I'm expecting there will be some teaspooning opportunities emerging shortly—petitions to be signed, donations to be made, letters to be written to members of Congress on Manning's behalf. Please feel welcome and encouraged to leave them in comments, as and when you see them.