on •

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Don’t be mislead — this legislator isn’t on the side of trans people — he’s toying around with us. Massachusetts state Rep. James Lyons, a Republican, is proposing this bill out of anger in reaction to a federal judge awarding legal fees to transgender convict Michelle Kosilek’s attorneys.

As you may recall, U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf ruled that denying Kosilek sex reassignment surgery (SRS) amounted to cruel and unusual punishment and ordered that the surgery be performed. He later ordered the state pay Kosilek’s attorney fees.

Rep. Lyons said he is trying to make a ‘profound point’ of his disagreement with the judge’s decisions by the introducing of a bill to pay the expense of SRS for all transgender people in the state. He wouldn’t say if he thinks it’ll pass.

Lyons: “The hard working citizens who follow the rules and pay their taxes do not qualify for benefits like this. If we provide extravagant benefits like this to a vicious murderer, then why deny them to the law abiding citizenry? . . .”

Stopping cruel and unusual punishment is not an extravagant expense.

Rep. Lyons is playing a dangerous game here. He’s using transgender people as pawns. Many trans people already live under dire circumstances — both physically and mentally. Toying trans people around like this is cruel. There should be consequences for Rep. Lyon’s reckless behavior.

More about Michelle Kosilek and the rulings by Judge Mark Wolf: https://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=michelle+kosilek

More about Rep. Lyon: http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x1525001143/Lyons-seeks-to-make-profound-point-about-prisoners-sex-change-operation

———–

You’re welcome to share this entire article!

Follow this topic on Lexie Cannes’ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lexiecannes

Support this site, get the transgender-themed feature film “Lexie Cannes“ DVD here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0963781332

The Guerrilla Angel Report is associated with Wipe Out Transphobia: http://www.wipeouttransphobia.com/

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

Reddit

LinkedIn

Tumblr

Print

Pocket

Email

Pinterest

Like this: Like Loading...

Categories: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Legislative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans