Top Stories
MySpecialsDirect
Transgender inmate castrated himself with disposable razor
10:04 AM MST on Tuesday, August 7, 2007
BOISE, ID -- A federal judge has ruled a Boise transgender inmate will receive female hormone therapy, paid for by the state of Idaho.
Jenniffer Spencer, who changed her name from Randall Gammett, castrated herself with a disposable razor blade after she was refused female hormone therapy for her gender identity disorder during her time in prison.
The Idaho Department of Corrections, funded by the state and taxpayer dollars, must provide psychotherapy and estrogen to Spencer for the duration of her time in prison, which is two more years.
Spencer was biologically born a man. She sued the Idaho Department of Corrections, and the physicians there, for failing to diagnose Gender Identity Disorder and treating it using female hormones.
Instead, doctors diagnoseda non-specific gender disorder as well as bi-polar disorder and offered her the male hormone, testosterone, not estrogen which she says she needed.
In the suit, Spencer claims her constitutional rights were violated and that she was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment with the state's failed diagnosis.
"The hormone therapy that we're talking about would cost, it's estimated at a couple dollars a day, and we're spending much more than what my client has asked for her treatment," said Walter Sinclair, Jenniffer Spencer's lead attorney.
Attorneys for the state say their doctors did not find conclusive evidence that Spencer actually has gender identity disorder.
The department realeased a statement that said, "the litigation is on-going and we are evaluating the court's decision."
Spencer is in prison for grand theft by possession and escape.
More Headline News
Disabled vet says Tucson kept him from voting
Stocks fluctuate after Fed corporate debt plan
Tonight's debate is in McCain's favorite style
Gov: Arizona can remain a major trading partner
Nepal appoints 3-year-old as new living goddess
Expect late Pima County voter returns
McCain still haunted by role in banking scandal
Forums & Blogs
Fox 11 Sports Force View Forum to read and create posts about the Sidewinders, Wildcats, college sport, football and more!
General Discussion Forum - Discuss anything that interests you with your FOX-11 neighbors in Southern Arizona.
Most E-mailed News
Popular Stories







You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Update Your Profile