Chelsea Manning sues Defense Department to receive transgender hormone therapy

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Chelsea Manning has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Defense for blocking her from receiving proper transgender medical treatment.

The suit claims Manning has been denied the hormone treatment and other personal care standards to complete her gender transition at Leavenworth prison.

"She brings this action to compel defendants [Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and the federal government] to treat her serious medical needs consistent with their obligation under the Constitution," said the suit.

Her representation from the ACLU claim if the requests are denied, she "will suffer continued pain, depression and anxiety and is at an extremely high risk of self-castration and suicidality."

Along with the hormone treatments, Manning is requesting she be allowed to follow grooming standards like being allowed to grow her hair and wear cosmetics, "in order to express her female gender."

"No decision to transfer Pvt. Manning to a civilian detention facility has been made," said Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby in May, "and any such decision will, of course, properly balance the soldier's medical needs with our obligation to ensure she remains behind bars."

Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison after leaking classified documents about events during the war in Iraq.