Transgender woman cites attacks and abuse in men's prison

[stephaniec]

Transgender Woman Cites Attacks and Abuse in Men's Prison

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/06/us/ashley-diamond-transgender-inmate-cites-attacks-and-abuse-in-mens-prison.html?_r=2

New York Times/by Deborah Sontag, April 5 2015

"Ms. Diamond, 36, had lived openly and outspokenly as a transgender woman since adolescence, much of that time defying the norms in this conservative Southern city."

"But on the day she arrived at a Georgia prison intake center in 2012, the deliberate defeminizing of Ms. Diamond began. Ordered to strip alongside male inmates, she froze but ultimately removed her long hair and the Hannah Montana pajamas in which she had been taken into custody, she said. She hugged her rounded breasts protectively".

[suzifrommd]

I pride myself in being able to see nearly every point of view. But I can't understand how this woman's treatment could be consider anything above inhuman. I wish the Georgia department of corrections hadn't declined comment. I really want to know how they justify doing this to a human being.

[mac1]

What should have been the appropriate treatment for her?

[Paige]

Well I did it and I knew I shouldn't have.  I read the Twitter comments on this article.  All I can say is there's a lot of hate out there.

Take care,
Paige

[Devlyn]

As near as I can tell, they are legally male. This is something for everyone to consider.  Your documents determine how agencies classify you.

[Devlyn]

I think you missed the point.  We need to get name and gender changes done, that is our responsibility. If your ID says male, and you have a penis, you're going to a male facility. That's not the states fault.

[Devlyn]

Nice try.

[Jill F]

We're not going to have an argument about this.  If this continues, I'm locking this one down.

[Myarkstir]

As a news senior mod let me reiterate what Jill said.

First and last warning....

[mac1]

As near as I can tell, they are legally male. This is something for everyone to consider.  Your documents determine how agencies classify you.

That is possible but not 100% guaranteed.

What if?

(1) You are FTM with "F" genitals and "M" documents.

(2) You are MTF with "M" genitals, breasts, & "F" documents.

(3) you are MTF with breasts, genital nullification but not SRS, and either "F" or "M" documents.

(4) You are FTM with top surgery, genital nullification but not SRS, and either "F" or "M" documents.

How would they classify you?

[Jerri]

In Washington State, regardless of gender marker, ID or anything, (I have c cups and have been full time with all my credentials identfying female) however since I have not yet beeen blessed with SRS ( on the wait list) while being incarcerated was in fact placed in the male intake, strip searched and issued a uniform. the folks did show some concideration when they seen I was having a nervous attack and allowed me to have my bra back and placed me in solitary confinement. The law here is clear until removal of the birth defect you will and shall be housed by birth gender. it was and is a major trigger for me and has been a mass influence on my behavior since. I will never go back to that place for any reason.

not saying it is right but we have no rights at that time and not every State has trans containment areas

[suzifrommd]

I missed most of this discussion. Here's what I don't understand:

You have someone who is, regardless of her documentation or genital configuration, a woman. You put her in prison with a bunch of men and allow her to be raped multiple times.

How is this anything other than inhuman?

I'm shuddering at the indifference to her suffering I'm seeing among our community.

[Beverly]

I missed most of this discussion. Here's what I don't understand:

You have someone who is, regardless of her documentation or genital configuration, a woman. You put her in prison with a bunch of men and allow her to be raped multiple times.

How is this anything other than inhuman?

I'm shuddering at the indifference to her suffering I'm seeing among our community.

I agree with you. I totally and utterly agree. I started saying much the same earlier and got slapped down for it so I deleted my comments. I am still angry about it. I am no doubt in even more trouble with Susans for being angry about this and saying so here. I tried PM the Mods but I was too incoherent to make sense.

A sizable portion of the general population treats trans people like cr*p - for people here to do it is unbelievable.

I am still furious about this.

[Jerri]

I seems perhaps my reply has been mis interpeted, I was only offering testimony to just how inhumain and horific that event was to me. as far as I know California is the only state has transgender conciderartion during captivity. and being stuck in a place like l that is terrible to begin with but being put into a situation where your life is at risk is deplorable

[Jill F]

I seems perhaps my reply has been mis interpeted, I was only offering testimony to just how inhumain and horific that event was to me. as far as I know California is the only state has transgender conciderartion during captivity. and being stuck in a place like l that is terrible to begin with but being put into a situation where your life is at risk is deplorable

California isn't THAT bad...  LOL!

[mrs izzy]

Ok now my warning. There has already been 7 deleted post already on this topic.

One of them was by me for violation of TOS rule and there has been issued a warning.

I should also give warning to all the others that have been deleted being they hit on rule 7. Leave moderation to the moderators! Susan and her staff are the only people who are authorized to deny anyone access to this web site including telling someone to leave, or to stop discussing a topic.  If someone wishes to discuss a subject that you are not interested in,  suggest a new subject; go to another of the many areas on this site; or ignore that person, topic, or discussion. Members should immediately report any messages both public and private that they feel may possibly be abusive, inappropriate, unwelcome, or unsolicited contact attempts, to staff using the Report links in posts and personal messages.

So as said by the other Moderators that posted here in topic is keep it to discussion in OP topic not a fight fest.

Anyone have a problem you are welcome to bring it up to me or Susan via PM.

Thanks
Mrs. Izzy
News Admin.

[Lady Smith]

By the measure of an civilised society Ms Diamond's treatment by the Georgia prison system is nothing less than disgusting and inhumane.  The prison warden's attitude can be plainly read as, 'shut up or we will put you in the way of being raped again.'  Gender issues aside using the threat of being raped and beaten by other prisoners as a means of control is a criminal act and not one that is solely confined to transgender folk either.

Here in New Zealand you need to have had SRS and your official paperwork changed to reflect this in order to be confined in a gender appropriate prison.  As far as officialdom is concerned I'm still male even though I am essentially a eunuch having had an orchi so prison is on the top of my list of places to stay out of.  Innocent people do sometimes get sent to prison and especially innocent members of minority groups in society, that's a fact unfortunately, so I can't help but be concerned when I read about this kind of abusive treatment.  'There but for the grace of God go I,' was something my Mum used to often say and it is definitely a fit for this situation.

My prayer list is becoming longer and longer it seems, but then I put my hand up for this job so I'm not complaining.  Ashley Diamond needs all the compassion, love and support we as a community can give her.  I can see Ashley's situation becoming a major test case which is why the Georgia prison system is so keen on stamping her down and making her shut up.  Wickedness and evil only prevail when good persons do nothing and there is definitely something evil going on here.

[mrs izzy]

Elton John, Michael Stipe call for support, protection of transgender inmates

https://ca.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/elton-john-michael-stipe-call-support-protection-transgender-215608141.html

By The Associated Press | The Canadian Press – 17 hours ago

NEW YORK, N.Y. - "Elton John and Michael Stipe are calling for the equal rights of transgender inmates following claims that a transgender woman was mistreated at a Georgia prison."

"Transgender women in male prisons have an equal right to protection from violence and abuse in prison, and yet they continue to face horrific injustices," according to a joint statement they released Tuesday.""

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With out human rights laws on the books granting in transition male or female transgender basic rights there will be issues like this happening more and more.  We are no longer hiding and living among the world.  There is a need to be treated with respect as it comes to the laws of the land.

[A boy called Heather]

Hi Everyone,

I'm MtF and in the UK, my SRS/BA op is in 5 weeks. In August I will be going to prison for some time. For the first 6-8 weeks I will be in a Male prison. In the UK I SHOULD get a single cell with on-suite facilities and a body guard. I'm really glad it is a UK prison.

Heather.