An incarcerated transgender man has filed a lawsuit against the Virginia Department of Corrections for discriminating against him by denying him surgery and other treatment for gender dysphoria. Jason Yoakam, who has been incarcerated at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in Troy, Virginia, since 2004, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2017, but has repeatedly been denied gender-affirming medical care, including mental health services and gender confirmation surgery. Yoakam was issued a chest binder after his diagnosis, but due to his gender dysphoria and discomfort with his own body, keeps it on throughout all hours of the day, except when showering. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s ruling in favor of a transgender inmate who sued Florida state officials over denial of hormone therapy. Yoakam is not seeking special treatment, just access to medically necessary health care and reasonable accommodations for his gender dysphoria,” Saenz said in a statement.

Source: MetroXpress August 26, 2021 18:57 UTC