In an unexpected turn of events in the Private Bradley Manning case, it was reported within 24 hours of the sentencing of Manning, he disclosed that as he begins his prison sentence handed down yesterday, he wants to do it as a woman.

During his trial, his defense team argued that the former intelligence officer suffered from gender-identity issues and that he should have been removed from Iraq by his senior officers who ignored the issue.

Prior to his arrest for the dislosure of secret military documents, Manning had sent an image of himself dressed as a woman, complete with wig and make-up to Master Sgt. Paul Adkins. Adkins did not reveal the existance of the email until after Manning’s arrest. In the email Manning stated that he knew of his “problem” for a long time and had joined the army in the hopes that it would rid him of the urge to be a woman. That email and image was presented as evidence in his trial.

In a statement made on the NBC “Today Show,” Manning’s attorney, David Coombs revealed Manning’s statement which was read by Savannah Guthrie, “As I transition to the next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me, I am Chelsea Manning.” The statement continued, “I am female, “Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible.”

Manning is only seeking hormone therapy and not a sex change operation. Manning intends to request hormone therapy today while at Fort Leavenworth. A Fort Leavenworth spokesperson, Kimberly Lewis said that the prison does not provide that service, Coombs said that he was going to do everything in his power to force the prison to do so.

When asked if this meant that Manning wanted to spend his prison sentence in a female facility, the answer by Coombs was “No.”

The statement read on NBC’s “Today Show continued with Manning writing, “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.”

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