RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Transgender inmate Ophelia De`Lonta is begging the world not to judge her and desperately wants sex reassignment surgery.
De`Lonta said the worst part about living with Gender Identity Disorder is waking up and not seeing who she really is.
De`Lonta told CBS 6 News’ Shelby Brown Friday that she is a woman who feels trapped in a man`s body – and thinks the world is passing judgment.
De`Lonta , who is housed at the Buckingham Correctional Center , appealed a judge’s ruling that the Department of Corrections has done its part to treat her.
“It`s not just from my point of view medically necessary, but my doctors say it’s a medical necessity,” said De`Lonta.
In fact, De`Lonta said she realized in her teens that she was different.
However, she said she thought robbery would one day help her get enough money to pay for a sex change. But, it simply landed her in prison.
De`Lonta said a judge ruled the Department of Corrections would have to provide treatment. Since then, she`s been taking hormone therapy treatments behind bars.
Now, De`Lonta said she is beyond that and desperately needs the surgery. She has even tried to self-castrate.
“I don`t regret it, other than I didn`t finish. The pain is a lot more bearable that the pain I go through every day,” said De`Lonta.
In addition, De`Lonta said she understands that people are concerned about tax dollars being spent on the procedure, but that she feels it is medically necessary.
