Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPrivate Manning’s Transition (NYT Editorial Board)
Private Mannings Transition
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
August 27, 2013
When Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Pfc. Bradley Manning, declared that she wanted to live as a woman, the Armys response was callous and out of step with medical protocol, stated policies for transgender people in civilian federal prisons and existing court rulings.
...
Prisoners have a constitutional right to care for their serious medical needs. In the case of individuals with gender dysphoria, treatment often includes hormone therapy, and failure to provide it can raise the risk of serious depression, self-mutilation attempts or even suicide.
Several federal courts of appeal have said that a states deliberate failure to provide individualized assessments of whether a transgender prisoner needs access to specialized medical treatment, like hormone therapy or surgery, violates the Eighth Amendments prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. As part of a lawsuit settlement in 2011, the federal Bureau of Prisons began making medically necessary hormone therapy available to all transgender inmates, including those who had not received a diagnosis and begun the therapy before incarceration. Although transgender people continue to be barred from service in the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of services for transgender veterans, including hormone therapy.
Of course, the Manning case presents other issues as well, starting with whether the all-male prison at Fort Leavenworth is the right institution for Private Manning. Transgender inmates are especially vulnerable to sexual assaults, and special care must be taken to ensure their safety with accommodations like private showering. The nature of Private Mannings offense could make for added safety worries. Prodded by lawsuits and strong Justice Department regulations issued last year to implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, civilian jails and prisons around the country are developing ways to address the particular needs of transgender inmates.
Private Mannings lawyer, David Coombs, said last week that he hoped military prison officials would voluntarily provide hormone treatment, without a lawsuit. It should not take a court order to get officials including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to do the right thing. They should give Private Manning appropriate medical care and safe but not unduly isolated housing, which should be available for all transgender prisoners.
http://news.nytco.com/2013/08/28/opinion/private-mannings-transition.html
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
August 27, 2013
When Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Pfc. Bradley Manning, declared that she wanted to live as a woman, the Armys response was callous and out of step with medical protocol, stated policies for transgender people in civilian federal prisons and existing court rulings.
...
Prisoners have a constitutional right to care for their serious medical needs. In the case of individuals with gender dysphoria, treatment often includes hormone therapy, and failure to provide it can raise the risk of serious depression, self-mutilation attempts or even suicide.
Several federal courts of appeal have said that a states deliberate failure to provide individualized assessments of whether a transgender prisoner needs access to specialized medical treatment, like hormone therapy or surgery, violates the Eighth Amendments prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. As part of a lawsuit settlement in 2011, the federal Bureau of Prisons began making medically necessary hormone therapy available to all transgender inmates, including those who had not received a diagnosis and begun the therapy before incarceration. Although transgender people continue to be barred from service in the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of services for transgender veterans, including hormone therapy.
Of course, the Manning case presents other issues as well, starting with whether the all-male prison at Fort Leavenworth is the right institution for Private Manning. Transgender inmates are especially vulnerable to sexual assaults, and special care must be taken to ensure their safety with accommodations like private showering. The nature of Private Mannings offense could make for added safety worries. Prodded by lawsuits and strong Justice Department regulations issued last year to implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, civilian jails and prisons around the country are developing ways to address the particular needs of transgender inmates.
Private Mannings lawyer, David Coombs, said last week that he hoped military prison officials would voluntarily provide hormone treatment, without a lawsuit. It should not take a court order to get officials including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to do the right thing. They should give Private Manning appropriate medical care and safe but not unduly isolated housing, which should be available for all transgender prisoners.
http://news.nytco.com/2013/08/28/opinion/private-mannings-transition.html
Now will the US Army please join the 22nd century.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
6 replies, 1280 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (11)
ReplyReply to this post
6 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Private Manning’s Transition (NYT Editorial Board) (Original Post)
Catherina
Aug 2013
OP
I didn't, one of the groups I got involved with over another case (Cece McDonald) sent it to me
Catherina
Aug 2013
#5
I have recently been educated as to the severity of this as a medical issue...
Demo_Chris
Aug 2013
#6
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)1. The Commander in Chief could fix this with one order. n/t
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)2. K&R
TDale313
(7,820 posts)3. K & R
markpkessinger
(8,395 posts)4. How did you find the alternate Times link?
Just curious.
Catherina
(35,568 posts)5. I didn't, one of the groups I got involved with over another case (Cece McDonald) sent it to me
I didn't even notice it was an alternate link until you pointed it out.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)6. I have recently been educated as to the severity of this as a medical issue...
This is a serious issue of individual rights and Manning is deserving of our support.