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, says 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. Yoakam was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2017.