Mass. transgender inmate fighting for electrolysis

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A convicted murderer who won a court ruling ordering Massachusetts prison officials to allow her to have a sex-change operation is now fighting for electrolysis treatments.

Michelle Kosilek lost her first battle Monday when the judge told her he would continue to refer to the convicted murderer as a man.

Kosilek was animated and talkative with her lawyers until the judge walked into the courtroom.

Michelle Kosilek asked the judge to add to his already controversial order; granting her a sex change operation at tax payers’ expense. Now she wants hair removal services while serving a life sentence for murder.

In a letter she recently wrote to 7News, Kosilek said, "As a pretrial detainee I had a lot more rights than a convicted felon, including the right to medical care of my choosing…"

Kosilek’s name was Robert when he killed his wife after she caught him dressed in her clothes. He became a woman while in prison. Kosilek fought and won a court order for a sex change.

The judge who ordered the sex change acknowledged, “I know I ordered something that’s unpopular and misunderstood, but unless the order is reversed it has to be obeyed.”

Kosilek will probably not get the electrolysis she is currently fighting for;

the judge says he is not inclined to rule in her favor but did say he will probably order to delay the surgery until the state's appeal is ruled on.

Kosilek, who is unwilling to talk to the media, told 7News in her letter the media is focusing on the wrong issues and is , "Serving a variety of vitriolic stews [to its consumers]" then asked 7News, "Why would I willingly expose myself to more cruelty?"

The judge ordered everyone back into the courtroom Tuesday and said he will rule at 11:30 a.m.