Bradley Manning is now Chelsea E. Manning

As I mentioned in last week's post, "the world must be getting tired about homosexuality because the transexuals have been all the rage lately", and "Things can get really weird, really fast in this brave new world, so bear with me."

Today comes news on Yahoo that Bradley Manning, the soldier recently convicted of turning over secrets to "Wikileaks", has decided that he is not a man after all. Here is his/her letter,

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 can imagine this raises a few questions for the folks at Leavenworth.

 
And knowing the reputation of what goes on in America's prisons, you have to have pity on the guy/gal if he/she is left in the mens' wing.