Manning

It seems the Bradley/Chelsea Manning issue doesn't seem to go away as the military has stated they're considering transferring Manning to a civilian prison so the he/she can get the medical care for his/her transition since the military is prohibited from such care.

But that's only half the problem and maybe something he/she may not want to ask to the military to do. Consider Manning has been sentenced to 35 years eligible for parole in 7 years. If Manning chose to stay in Leavenworth (military) prison, he will be released and then discharged in 7 years, after which he/she could pursue his/her transition.

If he accepts a transfer, the military could just as easily sustain the full prison sentence and Manning would be there the full 35 years, without the possibility of parole since Manning would be out of sight and mind of the military, but he/she could pursue some of her transition while in prison.

I won't argue about what Manning should do, but I will argue we shouldn't forget what he was convicted for while in a military uniform, which is something that seems to be lost on the transgender community, as they seem to think Manning's transition is more important than the crimes he/she committed.

And I disagree that not allowing someone to transition is cruel and unusual punishment as Manning won't die from not transitioning, although some transgender people have committed suicide over not being able to transition, there is no evidence Manning is such a person.

That said, does Manning deserves therapy and hormones? Probably, but that violates military regulations which anyone diagnosed with Gender Identity Condition is mentally ill and can't serve in the military. Hence the thought of the discharge and transfer for treatment.

And that's the conundrum with Manning. They can't discharge him (official status) until all legal avenues have been exhausted to transfer him, and they can't treat him. So he has the choice, maybe, to withdraw any appeal, get discharged and transferred in hopes of treatment but risk a longer sentence.

Or accept the reality and get through the 7 years, get paroled, discharged and released. And for anyone going through a transition, it's maybe a no brainer between freedom to be who they want to be, albeit paying for it is another issue, or risk being in prison, and all that entails, the full term for some treatment at government expense.

While I think it's time the military accept transgender people as the science and economics shows it's better for both the transgender people who are serving or want to serve and the military. The cost of a transition is far less than what the DOD and VA spend treating a disable soldier or veteran.

But until then, Manning is stuck in the laws and regulations governing transgender people in the military, and the choices they and Manning has within those laws and regulations. So yelling at the military about Manning's rights doesn't change anything.

The decision, and gamble, is Manning's. He's in prison for a reason, we shouldn't forget. And he/she deserves some measure of treatment for his/her condition, but not available where he/she current is incarcerated. The military is offering him what he demands, with caveats, and as they say, nothing comes without a price, as Manning has discovered.

Not All

There are no standards for transitioning women to live by anymore. There used to be with the one year real-life experience, often deemed a test, for approval for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) where you were judged if you passed successfully as a woman.

As a therapist would tell you, the experience is to get used to presenting and living as a woman. In truth it was then and still is bullshit as anyone knows because while many pass most if not all the time, all transitioning women face the reality of being clocked or outed, creating more harm than good.

I've always argued that if you have been diagnosed with Gender Identity Condition and you accept the process with the understanding you make your choices and accept responsibilities for those choices, then you should have the right to the SRS and get your documents changed so you can get on with your life.

The truth is that even if you don't pass, that won't change after one year, and if you pass, then you don't need the one year. The one year test was a compromise years ago with the APA over those who argued no time is necessary and some who wanted 2-3 years.

It was those therapists who then used it to set standards of what was acceptable with the woman's presentation, meaning everything feminine and nothing masculine, and why many transitioning woman threw out their entire old wardrobe for their new one.

While some cherished this as a milestone, it was expensive for many and it was really stupid for some as they often threw away their favorite or best clothes for ones to get through the test and get the letters for surgery.

The point is that there are no standards anymore as some transitioning women don't throw out some of their old clothes and continue to wear them as women's styles now allow it. They aren't into makeup outside that which is necessary for the occasion.

They don't live to go shopping and for clothes and all the "normal" stuff they're expect to do as women. They live as who they are, and wear whatever they like, and do whatever they want. Some in and post transition don't fit the model or stereotype because it's not them.

The reality is that some don't like women's clothes because they often don't fit, it's tedious to find and then remember all the sizes which fits for each makers of clothes you like or want to try, and they often like colors found with men's clothes not availble in women's clothes.

In short some women keep and still buy men's clothes because they fit, they like the style, they prefer the colors and they're comfortable. They still wear women's clothes because they like them too but for some types, the men's are their preferred.

And the funny thing is they're still seen as women. And that's what some therapists have realized and accept with those women they're in therapy for their transition. Just be yourself and the letters will still get written and you'll still get the surgery.

That's because the diversity of women is far greater today where the diversity of transwomen now fits completely inside it. If only the APA can realize that to write standards which fits the new diversity than their narrow-minded ideal.

Not all transwomen fit their ideal but they're still women.

Never Are

Transgender people never are the person of their birth sex. They simply are born of that sex and then live and present at that gender until they transition to be who they have been all along, themselves in whatever sex and gender they are in their mind and their heart.

Not Getting It

A conversation between a woman and someone she just met.

Him: "So, are you pre-op or post-op?"

Her: "Does it really matter?"

Him: "I couldn't tell. I thought you are a woman."

Her: "I am a woman. That's the point."

Him: "You took it wrong."

Her: "No, you meant it wrong."

Him: "I was only asking."

Her: "Something that's none of your business."

Him: "It is if I like you."

Her: "Then, are you pre-op or post-op?"

Him: "What the hell does that mean, I'm a guy."

Her: "Yeah, that's the point."

Him: "But I haven't had surgery."

Her: "Really, could have fooled me. I thought you were a guy."

Him: "I am."

Her: "As I'm a woman."