State appealing federal ruling granting sex change for inmate Michelle Kosilek
09/26/2012 9:50 PM   
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/09/26/state-appealing-federal-ruling-granting-sex-change-for-inmate-michelle-kosilek/EjcKFdJ41iXYjc5aUHIr1K/story.html

Governor Deval Patrick's administration is appealing a federal judge's ruling that the state must pay for a sex-reassignment surgery for a transsexual prison inmate who was convicted of murdering her wife.

In a statement, Diane Wiffin, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Correction, said the department will challenge US District Judge Mark Wolf's ruling in favor of the inmate, who identifies herself as Michelle Kosilek.

"Following a thorough review of the decision, we believe the court failed to give due deference to the fact that the Department has and continues to provide adequate medical treatment to address inmate Kosilek's gender identity disorder," Wiffin said. "We also found the opinion improperly discredits the legitimate safety concerns trained correctional professionals testified will arise if sex reassignment surgery is performed."

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GLAD reacts to state's inmate sex change appeal
Posted: Yesterday at 6:05 pm

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/boston/12008639341338/glad-reacts-to-state-s-inmate-sex-change-appeal/

UNDATED (WHDH) -- The following is a statement from GLAD on the state's decision to appeal Michelle Kosilek's sex change operation ruling.

Joint statement of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders and
the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition on
Commonwealth's Appeal of Kosilek Decision

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) reacted with disappointment today to the Commonwealth's announcement that it will appeal the district court decision which established that gender reassignment surgery is necessary medical care for prisoner Michelle Kosilek.

Gunner Scott, Executive Director of MTPC said, "We are very disappointed that the Commonwealth has decided to go in this direction. Care that is medically necessary for prisoners cannot be denied based on public opinion."