Transgender inmate sues Virginia prisons over surgery denial
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A transgender man held at a women's prison in Virginia is suing state prison officials after being denied breast removal surgery.
Jason Yoakam, who is serving sentences for murder, conspiracy to commit murder and a firearm offense, said the denial by the state Department of Corrections violates his constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment and his rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
The Richmond Times-dispatch reported that his treating endocrinologist and a transgender health specialist at the University of Virginia have said chest surgery is a medically necessary treatment for his gender dysphoria. State prison officials said the surgery is not medically necessary.