Whistleblower Bradley Manning wants to be a woman named Chelsea.  Manning is confused about his gender identity and transgender, and a photo as a woman named Chelsea has been released by the military.

Manning said in a statement about the preference to become a woman named Chelsea: "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 also request that starting today you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun."

The U.S. Army does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery to assist Chelsea in her transition to being a woman, but Manning's lawyer wants to force them to provide it for his client.

The Bradley Manning trial verdict was 35 years for whistleblower.  Manning will be credited for time served and given 112 days off his sentence for inhumane treatment, and will be eligible for parole after serving 1/3 of his sentence.  He could therefore be out of prison in as little as 8 years.

Bradley Manning was on trial for leaking classified documents to Wikileaks, an internet media site. Manning leaked a video of helicopter pilots gunning down civilians among other documents. The verdict is a disappointment for his many supporters, who compared him to historic whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg of the Pentagon Papers.

People have been reacting to the Bradley Manning trial verdict via various social media networks today.  The ACLU said:

"A legal system that doesn't distinguish between leaks to the press in the public interest and treason against the nation will not only produce unjust results, but will deprive the public of critical information that is necessary for democratic accountability. This is a sad day for Bradley Manning, but it's also a sad day for all Americans who depend on brave whistleblowers and a free press for a fully informed public debate."

Birgitta Jonsdottir, an Icelandic parliamentarian who worked with Wikileaks and supported Bradley Manning through his trial, said:

"A fair trial, then, has never been part of the picture. Despite being a professor in constitutional law, the president as commander-in-chief of the US Military - and Manning has been tried in a court martial - declared Manning's guilt pre-emptively. [...]

I am deeply disappointed that no one has been held accountable for the criminality exposed in the documents for which Manning is standing trial - except him. It shows so clearly that our justice systems are not working as intended to protect the general public and to hold accountable those responsible for unspeakable crimes."

Watch Bradley Manning Whistleblower Video Here: