August 22, 2013
US Army Private Bradley Manning, sentenced to 35 years for leaking classified documents on Wednesday, announced that he would like to live out the rest of his life as a woman. The whistleblower has asked to refer to him by the name Chelsea Manning.
“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,” Manning said in a
statement, which his lawyer, David Coombs, read on NBC News'
'Today' show.
The whistleblower signed the letter “Chelsea E. Manning.”
The attorney also said on the program that he expected Manning to get a pardon from US President Barack Obama, Reuters reports.
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