You can call me Chelsea Manning

U.S. soldier Bradley Manning, sentenced for leaking classified U.S. documents, says he is female and wants to live in prison as a woman named Chelsea. Mana Rabiee reports.

Bradley Manning poses for a photo wearing a wig and lipstick. Picture: AP Source: AP

Bradley Manning is escorted out of a courthouse on July 25. AP Photo/Cliff Owen Source: AP

HE IS the soldier branded as a "traitor to his country" for "gleefully" releasing thousands of military secrets to WikiLeaks for his personal notoriety.

Today, in a US Today showexclusive, Bradley Manning's announced through hislawyer that he wants to be a woman and will begin hormone replacement therapy.

Hereis Manning's full statement to the public:

Subject: The Next Stage of My Life

I want to thank everybody who has supported me over the last three years. Throughout this long ordeal, your letters of support and encouragement have helped keep me strong. I am forever indebted to those who wrote to me, made a donation to my defense fund, or came to watch a portion of the trial. I would especially like to thank Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network for their tireless efforts in raising awareness for my case and providing for my legal representation.

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.

Thank you,

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You can call me Chelsea Manning