SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Michelle-Lael Norsworthy, most notably known for setting a precedent that the state of California needs to provide gender reassignment surgery for trans inmates, is finally undergoing her surgery this Friday, Feb. 10.
In April 2015, in the landmark decision of Norsworthy v. Beard, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar ruled the state of California needed to provide the surgery due to her chemical castration from long-term high doses of hormone treatment therapy. Although the surgery was scheduled, Michelle-Lael was unexpectedly paroled shortly before it happened, which meant the state no longer needed to provide the surgery.
“After being paroled right before my surgery, I was all of a sudden completely alone and needed to find my own way to get it,” Michelle-Lael explained. “It wasn’t easy, learning how to figure out how things work out here after being behind bars for 30 years, but I was determined!”
Michelle-Lael navigated the intricacies of Medicare and our technology-driven society after three decades behind bars. Her surgery is scheduled to take place this Friday, February 10.
Awesome!
I’m so happy for you, and i wish you the best!
This person committed cold blooded murder of a young man. LGBT Weekly couldn’t care less. Doesn’t even bother to mention the crime. Anything that gets in the way of celebrating “transgender” is squashed. As a gay man, I find this disgusting. Hopefully, Medicare rules will be amended soon to prevent further federal funds spent on procedures like this. This case should be a catalyst for quick action.