article_snippet.sent: According to a February lawsuit from the Southern Poverty Law Center filed against Georgia Department of Corrections officials on behalf of Ashley Diamond, a transgender woman, prison officials did not provide sufficient treatment for 36-year-old Diamond’s gender dysphoria - a condition that causes a person to experience extreme distress because of a disconnect between the birth sex and gender identity.
article_snippet.sent: , a transgender woman also said Ashley Diamond was without hormone treatment for three years and Ashley Diamond body suffered as a result, and that Ashley Diamond had been sexually assaulted and ridiculed in prison.
article_snippet.sent: A photo of Ashley Diamond compared to her Department of Corrections mugshot shows the drastic difference without maintaining treatment .
article_snippet.sent: Diamond has identified as female since Diamond was a child and began hormone therapy when Diamond was 17, the Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit says.
article_snippet.sent: That gave Diamond full breasts, a feminine shape, softer skin and a feminine appearance.
article_snippet.sent: Despite having noticeable feminine physical characteristics and telling department staff Diamond was transgender and receiving hormone therapy, Diamond was not evaluated for gender dysphoria and wasn't referred for treatment and Diamond hormone therapy was halted, the Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit says.
article_snippet.sent: Though medical personnel subsequently evaluated Diamond and determined Diamond had gender dysphoria and that hormone therapy and female gender expression were medically necessary, department officials refused to authorize treatment, the Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit says.
article_snippet.sent: Without the hormone treatment for the past three years, Diamond's body has suffered a painful physical transformation back to Diamond's body masculine state and Diamond has experienced severe mental anguish, the Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit says.
article_snippet.sent: Diamond, 36, identifies as a female and has been on hormone therapy since Diamond was 17 .
highlights_snippet.sent: Diamond, 36, identifies as a woman and has been taking hormones since age 17 .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Claims lack of medical attention has harmed her transition process .