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Manning's gender-identity struggle—a sense of being a woman trapped in a man's body—was brought up by the defense at the court-martial, and a photo of the soldier in a blond wig and lipstick was submitted as evidence.

But the latest twist, announced the morning after Manning was sentenced to 35 years in the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., surprised many and confronted the Pentagon with questions about where and how the Army private is to be imprisoned.



The statement asked people to use the feminine pronoun when referring to Manning. It was signed "Chelsea E. Manning" and included a handwritten signature.

The Associated Press Stylebook calls for use of the pronoun that is either an individual's preference or is consistent with the way the person lives publicly.


The news agency said in a statement it would let that "be our guide as this story develops."

However, Leavenworth spokesman George Marcec said later Thursday that if Manning wants to go by Chelsea in prison, a name change would have to be approved in court and then a petition submitted with the Army to change its records.

The AP said it was seeking additional details from Manning's attorney, David Coombs, and until then would use only gender-neutral terms in reference to Manning.

Coombs did not respond to email and telephone messages but told "Today" he hopes Leavenworth officials will accommodate Manning's request for hormone treatment, which typically involves high doses of estrogen to promote breast development and other female characteristics.





Manning's case appeared to be the first time the therapy had come up for a military prisoner.

Manning, 25, was convicted of Espionage Act violations and other crimes for turning more than 700,000 classified military and diplomatic documents over to the secrets-spilling website WikiLeaks. Coombs said the soldier could be paroled from prison in as little as seven years.

After sentencing, Manning was returned Thursday to Leavenworth.


Manning would not be allowed to wear a wig or bra, and would have to meet the military standard for hair, Marcec said.




Greg Rinckey, a former Army prosecutor and now a lawyer in Albany, N.Y., said Manning's statement could be a ploy to get transferred to a civilian prison.



