Chelsea Manning has posted a new photo of herself, after being freed from a Kansas military prison and a 35-year sentence for leaking classified materials.
The transgender soldier formerly known as Bradley Manning took to Twitter and Instagram, posting a portrait photograph of her with short-cropped hair, bright red lipstick and a dark outfit.
The 29-year-old Oklahoma native included the caption, “Okay, so here I am everyone!!”
Okay, so here I am everyone!! =Phttps://t.co/NuyZlcWfd9#HelloWorld pic.twitter.com/gKsMFTYukO
— Chelsea Manning (@xychelsea) May 18, 2017
Manning was released early Wednesday from confinement at Kansas’ Fort Leavenworth, after having served seven years behind bars for giving classified materials to anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.Manning and her attorneys have refused to divulge her post-prison whereabouts or immediate plans.In an earlier post, she wrote “First steps of freedom!!” alongside a photograph of her feet.
First steps of freedom!! ??https://t.co/kPPWV5epwa#ChelseaIsFree pic.twitter.com/0R5pXqA1VN
— Chelsea Manning (@xychelsea) May 17, 2017
She also took to social media to share a photo of her first pizza and toasted to a “new beginning”.
So, im already enjoying my first hot, greasy pizza ?? https://t.co/ctZ8NdrV16#ChelseaIsFree pic.twitter.com/NZR9cePsFb
— Chelsea Manning (@xychelsea) May 17, 2017
Here's to freedom and a new beginning.https://t.co/isnBy72rbO#chelseaisfree pic.twitter.com/ZLjIv4W1We
— Chelsea Manning (@xychelsea) May 18, 2017
Hours after being released, Manning said: “I’m figuring things out right now – which is exciting, awkward, fun, and all new for me.“I am looking forward to so much! Whatever is ahead of me is far more important than the past.”