Jailhouse Rocks

Just when I start worrying that all is right in America, I come across a story that reinforces my belief that the country is still crazy.

There is a transgendered person on death row in Massachusetts who is suing to have his pre-operative treatment reinstated as he is becoming more masculine. For months, Robert Kosilek a/k/a Michelle Kosilek, has been denied hair removal treatment and access to an endocrinologist to discuss his testosterone levels.

"My breasts have shrunk, genitals have regained previous size and function, facial hair is thicker and scalp hair is thinner, all related to an elevated testosterone level," Kosilek said in a handwritten letter submitted to the court recently.

According to Robert/Michelle this is cruel and inhuman punishment.

So I started to wonder, just who did this tortured individual murder?

His wife!

In 1990 his wife poured boiling hot water on his genitals. So he killed her. Claimed it was self defense.

She poured boiling hot water on his genitals -- the ones he doesn't want anyway!

Now I can't imagine what it must be like to feel you were born as the wrong gender. Nor can I imagine what it feels like to have your penis parboiled. However, I am not unsympathetic to the plight of transgendered individuals.

But throw "murderer" into the description and I am less sympathetic.

This entire matter is costing an awful lot of money. Should the Commonwealth of Massachusetts just provide Mr./Ms. Kosilek with what is needed so that he/she is not suicidal? It is cheaper to give Kosilek the treatment desired than to fight it in court.

Transgendered prisoners all across the country are watching this precedent setting situation. Ultimately murder, conviction and imprisonment may be the cheapest way for an individual to change gender.