US: Appeals court to hear arguments around inmate gender reassignment case
The US Circuit Court of Appeals is to hear arguments around the case of a trans woman prisoner who was granted gender reassignment surgery as treatment for her gender dysphoria.
Judge Mark Wolf, of Massachusetts ruled in September that Michelle Kosilek would be given gender reassignment surgery in prison, as the “only adequate treatment” of her gender dysphoria. He also ruled that her legal costs should be covered.
Upon ruling on the surgery, Judge Wolf said: “there is no less intrusive means to correct the prolonged violation of Kosilek’s Eighth Amendment right to adequate medical care.”
Prison officials appealing the ruling will argue that they have security concerns, and are worried that they won’t be able to protect Kosilek in prison if she is given the surgery.
The 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals is due to hear the oral arguments on Tuesday morning, reports the Associated Press.
Michelle Kosilek identifies as female but is incarcerated in an male-only prison. She was previously known as Robert, was married to Cheryl Kosilek, and was convicted of murdering her in 1990.
She received a life sentence, with no parole, had attempted to take her own life, and to self-castrate since being locked up in the all male prison in Norfolk, Massachusetts.
