Link (http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Court_says_NYC_must_pay_for_sex_change/Quirks/20070225-125025-6677r/)
A New York judge is ordering city taxpayers to pay for a 21-year-old man's sex-change operation, the New York Post reports.
"I don't think it's hit me yet. The consequences are so far reaching," Mariah Lopez told newspaper after her victory in Manhattan Family Court.
Judge Sheldon Rand said the city's Administration for Children's Services must pay for all "necessary" care for children in its care. Lopez was in ACS care when her legal battle began.
FREE TO BE HE-SHE (http://www.nypost.com/seven/02252007/news/regionalnews/free_to_be_he_she_regionalnews_janon_fisher_____and_leela_de_kretser.htm)
Talk about a tax cut.
A judge has ordered taxpayers to foot the bill - up to $20,000 - for a sex-change operation that will make a 21-year-old man into a woman.
In a ruling to be released Thursday, Manhattan Family Court Judge Sheldon Rand said the city must provide the subsidized snip because the woman wannabe, identified as Mariah Lopez, had been in the care of the Administration for Children's Services as a youngster.
First I say, good for her.
Second...whoever wrote that article deserves to be shot in the stomach. Absolutely rude on so many accounts.
Not to mention Children's services for appealing the decision. The lawyer's bill for the trial and then the appeal is probably more than they'll ever have to pay out for SRS.
Dennis
Each little thing like this puts the issue squarely in the public eye. This article may have a few quirks but there is no seedy element to it. I think it is a good step forward. And for the subject of the article.... .good for her. I sincerely hope she is successful.
Cindi
JUSTICE ISN'T THAT BLIND (http://www.nypost.com/seven/02272007/postopinion/editorials/justice_isnt_that_blind_editorials_.htm)
In a city that has seen its fair share of bizarre judicial shenanigans, Manhattan Family Court Judge Sheldon Rand may have set a new standard for black-robed dementia.
In a ruling to be released publicly Thursday, Rand has concluded that taxpayers must pay for a sex-change operation for a 21-year-old transsexual seeking to become a woman.
Why?
Because Brian Lopez - who now dresses as a woman and goes by the name "Mariah" - was in the custody of the Administration for Children's Services as a child.
Oh yes... all the charges against her related to her real problem in some way, I'm sure. Loitering and prostitution which also led to assault on a police officer. A savy judge would see that the condition is at the root of her legal problems. My opinion of this judge has just risen by two points. Let's fix the problem not mask the symptoms.
Cindi