A Massachusetts man with gender identity disorder murdered his wife in 1990 when she discovered him wearing her clothes. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1992. However, the disorder did not disappear and he requested a sex change operation. After years of stonewalling by prison officials, a judge has ordered the state to pay for the operation.

A Massachusetts man with gender identity disorder murdered his wife in 1990 when she discovered him wearing her clothes. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1992. However, the disorder did not disappear and he requested a sex change operation. After years of stonewalling by prison officials, a judge has ordered the state to pay for the operation.

Forcing Robert Kosilek (now known as Michelle Kosilek) to endure life as a man is against the 8^th Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment,  US District Judge Mark Wolf ruled:

“In this case Kosilek has proven that he still has a severe gender identity disorder. Although female hormones have helped somewhat, he continues to suffer intense mental anguish because of his sincere and enduring belief that he is a female trapped in a male body.”

According to Judge Wolf, “sex reassignment surgery is for some people medically necessary”. Therefore, the surgery must be treated as a human right. In the words of the US Supreme Court, “a prison that deprives prisoners of basic sustenance, including adequate medical care, is incompatible with the concept of human dignity and has no place in civilized society.”

Massachusetts corrective services officials are considering an appeal. ~ Boston Globe, Sept 5

Michael Cook
Creative commons
gender reassignment
reproductive revolution

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