Prison must provide sex change surgery for convicted baby killer, judge rules

A preliminary injunction in a red state found taxpayers on the hook to cover a convicted baby killer’s “gender-affirming surgery.”

The culture war hit a setback at the all-male Branchville Correctional Facility in Perry County, Indiana after a judge deemed a state law unconstitutional. Now, barring a successful appeal, the Indiana Department of Corrections has been ordered “to take all reasonable actions to secure…gender-affirming surgery” for a man serving a 55-year sentence who considers himself a Muslim woman.

In July of this year, Indiana’s law prohibiting taxpayer money from funding such procedures went into effect. Following its 2023 passage, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit on behalf of inmate Jonathan C. Richardson, who goes by Autumn Cordellionè.

On Sept. 17, United States District Court Judge Richard Young ordered a preliminary injunction in favor of the plaintiff that found, “Specifically, Ms. Cordellionè has shown that her gender dysphoria is a serious medical need, and that, despite other treatments Defendant has provided her to treat her gender dysphoria, she requires gender-affirming surgery to prevent a risk of serious bodily and psychological harm.”

“Today marks a significant victory for transgender individuals in Indiana’s prisons,” read a statement from ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk. “Denying evidence-based medical care to incarcerated people simply because they are transgender is unconstitutional. We are pleased that the Court agreed.”

In their filing, the ACLU stated the inmate’s gender dysphoria was diagnosed in 2020 and that, in addition to being provided “panties, make-up, and form-fitting clothing,” he had been prescribed testosterone blockers and female hormones.

“Accordingly, at this point, gender-affirming surgery is necessary so that her physical identity can be aligned with her gender identity and so her gender dysphoria can be ameliorated,” the filing detailed of the man claiming to have identified as a woman since he was six-years-old. “She believes that the only remedy for her persistent gender dysphoria, and the serious harm it causes her, is to receive gender-affirming surgery, specifically an orchiectomy and vaginoplasty.”

In addition to filing suit for surgery, the inmate, serving a 55-year prison sentence for reckless homicide after strangling his 11-month-old stepdaughter to death in 2001, also filed suit on religious grounds, arguing that he should be allowed to wear a hijab outside of his cell because he considers himself a Muslim woman.

The prison chaplain initially denied the request because the inmate’s official religious belief was listed as “Wiccan.”

“I responded that I am an eclectic practitioner who is a member of the Theosophical Society in America,” the complaint read. “I practice a diversity of faiths in order to custom tailor my spiritual beliefs to my spiritual needs.”

In response to Young’s order, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R) promised there would be an appeal and posted on X, “Of course, I disagree. How could you not?? An Indiana inmate convicted of murder wants our taxpayers to fund their gender-altering surgery! Hoosiers do NOT want this. We’re still reviewing the court’s opinion, but you can undoubtedly expect our office to appeal this decision.”

He also told TristateHomepage.com, “State statue seemed to be the right answer to that problem because the — again — the people don’t want their tax dollars going for what they believe — and I agree with them — these nonsensical surgeries. Now if someone has gender dysphoria, there’s treatment for that. You don’t have to affirm that disorder.”

Kevin Haggerty

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