Bradley Manning, the former U.S. Army private who was found guilty of leaking government documents to WikiLeaks, was granted his request to change his name to Chelsea.
The request was granted by Leavenworth County District Judge David King on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The name change reflects Manning's desire to be legally recognized as a woman as he carries out his 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth. Manning will be issued a new birth certificate with his new name, Chelsea Elizabeth Manning.
Manning released a statement saying she hopes her victory will help other transgendered people in the military achieve equal rights, particularly when it comes to healthcare.
"If I'm successful in obtaining access to trans healthcare, it will not only be something I have wanted for a long time myself, but it will also open the door for many people, both inside and outside the military, to request the right to live more open, fulfilled lives," Manning said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
Manning submitted a request for the name change in January, months after first announcing she wished to be known as Chelsea. Manning was sentenced in August 2013 following her trial for violating the Espionage Act when she gave over 700,000 confidential documents and videos on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She was found not guilty of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy, which comes with a life sentence.
Though Manning was granted the name change, she will continue to be treated as a man while incarcerated. Manning has previously requested that she receive hormone replacement therapy, but the military does not offer it. According to the Pentagon's policy, transgender soldiers are not allowed to serve in the military, the Associated Press reported back in March.
Manning has previously stated she is prepared to go to court to be treated as a woman, the AP reported.
Due to military parole rules, Manning could be released from prison after serving seven years, her attorneys told Reuters.
