Valerie Jackson, a 32-year-old transgender woman, filed a federal lawsuit against Dallas Jailers on Friday, November 2nd because they forced her to show her genitals.  As Jackson was being processed into jail, she was given a wristband that listed her as a female. She was sent to a nurse that asked about her menstrual cycles.  When informed that Jackson did not have a menstrual cycle, due to the lack of a uterus, officers began to ask her if she had her sex changed.  

Jackson claims she falsely told the officers that she did undergo a sex change to end the “unnecessary humiliating harassment”.  According to the lawsuit, she was ordered to pull down her pants and underwear by multiple officers.  She was told, “We need to see if you have a penis or vagina,” according to the suit. “We have to protect you.  We can’t put you with men if you have a vagina.” Not fully acknowledging the danger they are putting her in by grouping her in with the men in the jail.  

Eventually, the jailers decided to group her with the men.  This put Valerie in the position she feared most.  In the men’s holding area, Jackson faced harassment by the male inmates, telling her things they want to do to her, “grabbing themselves and calling her names like “he-she” and other derogatory terms. Not only was she forced to house with them, but also shower, where a male inmate masturbated while staring at her.