Pregnant Man?: Find Out How It Happened

To our neighbors, my wife, Nancy, and I don't appear in the least unusual. To those in the quiet Oregon community where we live, we are viewed just as we are -- a happy couple deeply in love. Our desire to work hard, buy our first home, and start a family was nothing out of the ordinary. That is, until we decided that I would carry our child.

I am transgender, legally male, and legally married to Nancy...

Our situation sparks legal, political, and social unknowns. We have only begun experiencing opposition from people who are upset by our situation. Doctors have discriminated against us, turning us away due to their religious beliefs. Health care professionals have refused to call me by a male pronoun or recognize Nancy as my wife. Receptionists have laughed at us. Friends and family have been unsupportive; most of Nancy's family doesn't even know I'm transgender...

We are proud to announce that this pregnancy is free of complications and our baby girl has a clean bill of health. We are happily awaiting her birth, with an estimated due date of July 3, 2008.

Read more of the Thomas Beatie's story at The Advocate...

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Check out this video coverage from CNN Headline News.

What do you think? Do you think this is wrong? Is it unnatural? Or do you think we need to expand our notions of gender? Thomas Beatie is "naturally" a woman, so is it really so "wrong"? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Comments

[chuckgraner]

If this man still has female genitalia, why isn't he considered a woman? How is it possible that his marriage is legal?

[MadamRoma]

Hellooooo, Is this crazy crap day,? I forgot to get my costume.

[dadw5boys]

THE MORE GROWTH HORMONES WE ARE EXPOSED TO THE MORE AMERICANS ARE SCREWED UP MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

[Stagehnd1]

HUh. My question is how this will effect the child when he or she learns about the whole situation. Im extreamly open minded, but this makes me cringe a little...

[zizyphus]

If only there was a way to get all men pregnant. Abortions would be as available as barber shops. Maternity leave would earn full pay and bonuses. Childcare would pay as much as plumbers earn, and large employers would be required to provide it for their employees.

[biglover]

zizyphus - you know your stuff don't you. All a man had to so was have ED and voila, Viagra, Levitra and Cialis were born and paid for by insurance companies. Yet some women can't even buy birth control pills from pharmacies run by evangelical right to lifers . INSANITY.

[niikeb]

Delusional?

[Pandu]

The person was born a woman, has female reproductive organs, and gets pregnant, but you call her a man. I'd call her confused.

[niikeb]

Hi Five!

[jneems]

I think it will be her/his CHILD who will be confused.....

[rini]

Ok,

it's not really the world's first pregnant man. This is a woman with a uterus who took hormones, and may have had mastectomies to appear male. She may look very male, excluding the genitalia, but she obviously has some female biology. He/she has masculinization with hair on his/her body and a beard etc.. He may even be balding. Having said that, it would be slightly disconcerting to see, not that there is anything wrong with it, as long as the fetus isn't affected by the hormones, which, I'm sure, he temporarily stopped for the pregnancy.

[curiousasheck]

I think potholes still need to be filled, oil needs to be extracted, bridges need to be repaired, lawns need to be mowed, groceries need to be shopped for, flat tires need to be changed, dishes need to be done, checkbooks need to be balanced, etc, etc.

[niikeb]

But shes a woman no matter what the law says, Is there any surprise she got pregnant. She was 100% able to get pregnant. You know a rose by any other name is the same. It just goes to show how legally is doesn't mean its true.

[ENK727]

I agree 100%... sorry in my book you've got female organs and you're able to get pregnant.. you're a woman!