Bradley Manning says he plans to live as a woman and begin hormone therapy, a day after the soldier was sentenced to 35 years in prison for sending classified information to WikiLeaks.

US Army Private First Class Bradley Manning
US Army Private First Class Bradley Manning (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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In a written statement provided to NBC's "Today" show on Thursday morning, Manning said he planned to live as a woman named Chelsea.

A military judge announced the sentence in Manning's court-martial on Wednesday. Manning's struggle with gender identity disorder — his sense that he was a woman trapped in a man's body — was a key part of the defense.

Attorneys had presented evidence of Manning's struggle with gender identity, including a photo of the soldier in a blond wig and lipstick sent to a therapist.

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