'I Am Chelsea': Bradley Manning Wants To Live As A Woman

07:07

August 22, 2013

This undated photo provided by the U.S. Army shows Pfc. Bradley Manning wearing a wig and lipstick. (U.S. Army)

Through his lawyer, Bradley Manning released a statement this morning explaining his plans to live the remainder of his life as a female.

Bradley Manning, pictured here on Aug. 16, 2013, plans to live as a woman named Chelsea. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Referring to himself as "Chelsea," Manning wants to "begin hormone therapy as soon as possible."

The statement comes one day after the Army private was sentenced to 35 years in prison for sending classified military and diplomatic documents, as well as battlefield footage, to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.

Currently, Fort Leavenworth — the military prison where Manning will serve his sentence — does not provide hormone therapy treatment.

Lawyers had presented evidence of Manning's struggle with gender identity during his trial.

Guest

Adam Klasfeld, reporter for Courthouse News. He tweets @CNSAdamKlasfeld.

This segment aired on August 22, 2013.