Transgender Utah prisoner CASTRATES herself in protest after being denied hormone treatment for two years - as DOJ sues the state for discrimination

After being refused access to hormone treatment, an American prisoner who wanted gender affirming care castrated herself in a Utah jail. 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing the state of Utah and its department of corrections for violating the Disabilities Act.

The unidentified prisoner, who was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in June 2022 by a doctor contracted by the Utah Department of Corrections, had been requesting access to hormones, female housing, women's underwear, and makeup for the past two years.

The inmate's mental health started to decline after she was denied the accommodations, and castrated herself during her state of deep mental anguish.

A press release from the DOJ read: 'Twenty-two months after entering custody, she performed dangerous self-surgery and removed her own testicles.'

After being refused access to hormone treatment, an American prisoner who wanted to become a woman castrated themselves in a Utah jail.

The Department of Justice is suing the state of Utah and its department of corrections for violating the Disabilities Act

'The department's lawsuit is part of its broader efforts to combat discrimination against individuals with gender dysphoria.'

The federal investigation determined that the state correctional agency put up 'unnecessary barriers' that prevented the prisoner from getting treatment for her severe gender dysphoria. 

'People with gender dysphoria, including those held in jails and prisons, are protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act and are entitled to equal access to medical care just like anyone else with a disability,' explained Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, in the statement.

Despite the doctor approving treatment for the prisoner for her condition in 2022, treatment was not provided until January 2023 - seven months after her diagnosis was made.

The DOJ's investigation claims that the prisoner had a harder time getting treated for her condition because of the nature of her diagnosis.

The investigation also determined that the corrections officers purposefully delayed the prisoner's access to the hormone treatment, despite her worsening mental health.

Gender dysphoria, which is defined by the DOJ as 'a serious medical condition' that causes 'significant distress or impairment because of an incongruence between their gender identity and assigned sex', is recognized as a disability under the Disabilities Act.

Therefore, inmates living in a correctional facility are entitled to treatment for this condition.

Despite the doctor approving treatment for the prisoner for their condition in 2022, treatment was not provided until January 2023

The investigation also determined that the corrections officers purposefully delayed the prisoner's access to the hormone treatment, despite the prisoner's worsening mental health

According to the DOJ,  the corrections department 'failed to make reasonable modifications to its policies and practices to treat the complainant's gender dysphoria.' 

They're also demanding for the implementation of anti-discrimination training and policy changes for all Utah corrections officers.

The inmate will be properly compensated by the department of corrections for the damages.