Trans activist and former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning has undergone gender-affirming surgery, sharing her recovery with followers online.
The 30-year-old tweeted a photo from her hospital bed, writing: "After almost a decade of fighting - thru prison, the courts, a hunger strike, and thru the insurance company - I finally got surgery this week."
The response to the photo was overwhelmingly positive, with supporters sending their congratulations and well-wishes.
"Damn Chelsea, congratulations," one follower responded. "Been rooting for you for ages."
"You're a hero to trans people everywhere, Chelsea!" Another tweeted.
"Sending lots of love to you sister! Take care! You mean a lot to many of us!"
The controversial whistleblower missed her scheduled appearance at the Sydney Opera House in August, with the Australian government refusing to grant her a visa based on a “character test” in the Migration Act.
Manning was previously convicted over leaking classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks. She received a 35-year prison term over six breaches of the Espionage Act, but was freed seven years into her sentence period in 2017 by then-President Barack Obama.
