TG Prison News Revisited

[aimlesswander]

After discussing with my partner, who is a second year law student, I have changed my mind on the issue in favor of Kosilek, mainly for legal reasons.  No, I don't find her to be a good poster-child for the trans community, nor do I agree with the actions she took against her wife.  However, that is in NO WAY a part of her lawsuit.  I know it's

Comments

Did I read that right?

[somebuggy]

So glad to see you posting more again! In this particular post, I had to re-read the first sentence like 5 times before I could go on and read part II of the Kosilek debate.

Now, it is important I understand you correctly....Cindy is soon-to-be-a-lawyer and soon-to-be-your-spouse....or....Cindy is already your spouse and as we all know soon-to-be-a-lawyer!?! Was there a ceremony I was not invited to Mr.?!?

I think congratulations are in order either way!

Re: Did I read that right?

[aimlesswander]

lol Sorry. I just call her my spouse because that's how it feels to me. We aren't planning on having the actual ceremony and getting the official court documents, etc. until we move out of Florida. I'm not going to be so stupid as to try to get legally married in a state that has already shot down Kantaras v. Kantaras. Thank you for the congratulations, though, and I will be sure to send you a wedding invitation when we finally do tie the knot! I'm shooting for about 3-4 years from now (2 years for us to get our respective degrees and the other year or two to plan it. I'm anticipating a very small wedding). =P

[lin_transman]

I have to disagree with you on this one. I believe that inmates have a right to medical care that is essential to their physical well-being. However, this surgery is not required to maintain that status. I believe it is a necessary surgery to help with 'psychological well-being, but someone who is in her position has greater psychological issues to deal with than this one - otherwise she wouldn't be where she is. I waited for 35 years to have chest surgery because I couldn't afford it. I sure as hell don't want to foot the bill for someone else to have surgery because they are transgendered! I think that when someone is confined for committing a crime, they lose some of their rights. They are not in prison to be comfortable. If it were otherwise, I could have opted to do something that would land me in prison for a shorter stint, had surgery on the taxpayers dollars, and then moved on with my life as I wanted when I was released. Sorry, I can't back that one, even though I believe that surgery should be covered by insurance

[aimlesswander]

Some would disagree on the point between physical and psychological well-being. There is evidence that transsexuals are at a higher risk for suicide and that SRS is an appropriate treatment. It isn't up to you or I to decide who qualifies for that treatment. Of course, prisoners should be held to the same standard guidelines for treatment that citizens on the outside are held to; they should have to be evaluated by a psychologist, etc. in order to receive treatment. If you feel that SRS is not a medical necessity, that is fine. Then we basically disagree on that point alone and the rest of the debate is moot. However, if you believe that sex reassignment surgery IS medically necessary for transgender individuals seeking that treatment, then this statement is true for ALL transpeople who want that medical care, not just the ones you deem morally fit to receive it. I, for one, would like for there to be universal healthcare for U.S. citizens, and I think that the healthcare plan should include SRS for those who qualify for it (

[lin_transman]

I can see yur point. I'm sorry, but it took me over 35 years to be able to have the chest reconstruction surgery because of the cost factor. I had a heart attack 12 years ago - and went bankrupt from the financial problems that resulted from it. I owned a small business at the time - and lost it, just when I had been planning to expand. All of my hard work was finally about to pay off, but I ended up with nothing but my car, my dog and the clothes on my back

[aimlesswander]

I can see how you are conflicted on this issue, since your statements support my viewpoint yet you continue to argue against me. I think you are allowing your bitterness (over waiting so long & paying out of pocket for surgery) overshadow the real point of this issue. If the court rules that SRS is "medically necessary" and Kosilek gets treatment, then that landmark decision will affect ALL prisoners in U.S. correctional facilities, NOT just one specific person, as you say. Your biggest beef is that Kosilek would be getting something for free that you had to work so hard for, but the fact of the matter is that as a free citizen in a country without universal healthcare, you are responsible for your own care. You can use your own money to select the doctor you want to see and go to the hospital you want (yes, I understand this works better in theory b/c a lot of people cannot financially afford healthcare, but bear with me). On the other side of the coin, the government is responsible for the healthcare prisoners receive.