Mass. to appeal inmate sex change surgery ruling

Thursday, September 27, 2012

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts officials say they will appeal a judge’s decision to grant a convicted murderer’s request for sex reassignment surgery.

The state Department of Correction said Wednesday it believes the medical care Michelle Kosilek is receiving in prison is adequate and the court didn’t address the state’s legitimate safety concerns for protecting Kosilek in a male prison.

Kosilek was named Robert when convicted of his wife’s 1990 murder.

A federal judge ruled the surgery is the only adequate treatment for Kosilek’s gender identity disorder, a condition he calls a “serious medical need.” It’s the first time a judge has ordered prison officials to provide sex reassignment surgery to an inmate.

The judge’s ruling prompted an outcry among some legislative leaders, who say Kosilek isn’t entitled to the taxpayer-funded surgery.