Every last one of the trans people I know successfully live as the gender they associate themselves with, without having had reassignment surgery. Do some of them want the surgery? YES. Some of them are saving up for it, some are crossing their fingers that insurance will someday offer assistance, but none of them are slowly dying of Oh No I Have A Dick. Also, none of them have killed their wives. It sucks that Kosilek has the wrong genitalia, but it isn't going to kill her. If my non-murderous friends have to tuck and roll and go out and be every bit the awesome women that they are, then Michelle Kosilek can do it behind bars.

ETA: It sounds like this woman has some severe issues with accepting the sex organs she was born with, which I understand can cause one much mental anguish and the desire to self-mutilate and/or become suicidal. It's also pretty obvious that she would be abused by fellow inmates—-regardless of whether she was in a men or women's prison. If that's the case, would it not be more responsible and humane to transfer her to a more secure facility, one that is better equipped to handle mental health issues? Of course one might argue that it would be more effective and simpler just to offer her the reassignment surgery, but it's upsetting to me that there are countless transpeople out there who have to go without, because the world at large does not understand the necessity of it. And I guess if someone with this much media attention underwent reassignment and furthered the case that it IS medically necessary, then that's a good thing for all in the long run. And so now I'm just arguing with myself, and saving you all the trouble.