National LGBTQ Task Force Welcomes President’s Commutation of Chelsea Manning’s Sentence

WASHINGTON, DC, January 17, 2017–The White House has announced President Obama’s commutation of Chelsea Manning’s 35 year sentence. In 2013, Manning was convicted by a military judge for leaking secret government documents.

“We are thankful for the President’s commutation of Chelsea Manning’s onerous 35-year sentence in a military prison in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Chelsea Manning has come to represent the constant stream of abuse, mistreatment and violence that transgender people face in prison, where she had been denied the ability to be herself, recognition of her gender identity, or any access to transition related care. Manning, like so many other transgender women in prison had been driven to attempt suicide more than once and been the subject of discipline and solitary confinement because of her identity. We are relieved to learn that Manning will soon be free, be able to live as who she truly is, and have her identity affirmed,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director.

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CONTACT:
Mark Daley
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
202-379-8318
mdaley@thetaskforce.org