Judge bars trans prisoner from hair removal
A US trans woman who is serving life in prison for murdering her wife has had her request for hair removal therapy blocked again.
Michelle Kosilek was denied the request by US District Judge Mark Wolf.
He decided that she had not shown a serious enough need for the electrolysis, having previously blocked the request in August. State lawyers said she had access to cheaper methods of hair removal, such as shaving and depilatory cream.
Kosilek has had seven treatments already but was said to be distressed by the remaining hair. Her lawyers argued there was a “serious medical need” for the treatments and that her mental health is suffering.
She has reportedly attempted suicide twice and is currently waiting to hear if the state of Massachusetts will pay for her gender reassignment.
She was denied funding in 2002 and unsuccessfully attempted to sue again in 2005.
Kosilek was jailed in 1990 for the murder of her wife Cheryl. The former addiction counsellor changed her name to Michelle in 193 while in prison.
