Transgender Inmate Can Sue for Hair Treatments (laser hair removal)

[The Straight Story]

Transgender Inmate Can Sue for Hair Treatments

(CN) - Prison officials may have violated a transgender inmate's constitutional rights by refusing to comply with doctors' orders about laser hair removal treatments, a federal judge ruled.

Christine Alexander, a biological male who identifies as female, was diagnosed in 2003 with Gender Identity Disorder, a controversial clinical name approved by the American Psychiatric Association.

Since that time, Alexander has received hormone replacement therapy and psychological counseling while incarcerated at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk.

Because Alexander also "suffers from facial and body hair, and male pattern baldness," several doctors have prescribed laser hair removal and finasteride, the generic name for Rogaine or Propecia, to "enhance patient's progress towards feminization," according to a court summary.

Though Alexander claims that the hair treatments are medically necessary rather than cosmetic, the state corrections department has not offered them.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/24/43300.htm

[DontTreadOnMe]

1. This type of request is rediculous

I would approve any inmate that wants to have these treatments and medications - if THEY PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES -- but the state should not be required to pay for these kinds of treatments with tax payers' money.

Facial hair and baldness is only appearance. Why should a transgender person get more "treatment" than nay other inmate. Will ALL the inmates will male pattern baldness now demand treatment as well?

Sometimes inmate's demands just go way beyond being reasonable. It's prison, it's not supposed to be "comfortable". Prison is the MINIMUM amount of quality of living for you to survive - until you finish your time. "Minimum" being defined as better than homeless and on the streets with no shelter or food. Luxury appearance items should not be included free of charge.