For real. A man named Thomas Beatie is going to have a baby. And no, not in some Gloria Steinem alternate reality. Beatie, Popular Fidelity reports, was born a woman, but had gender reassignment surgery. His wife couldn't get pregnant, but he still could. So now the child's father will be the one to give birth.
And now a word from Thomas:
How does it feel to be a pregnant man? Incredible. Despite the fact that my belly is growing with a new life inside me, I am stable and confident being the man that I am. In a technical sense I see myself as my own surrogate, though my gender identity as male is constant. To Nancy, I am her husband carrying our child-I am so lucky to have such a loving, supportive wife. I will be my daughter's father, and Nancy will be her mother. We will be a family.
More power to them. People are sure to call this situation freakish, but the family actually sounds pretty suburban and normal except for this one challenge to traditional new-baby protocol (we see Miss Manners adjusting her baby shower etiquette chapter). We know families way wackier, and in far less ground-breaking ways.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 3)
31. Although I haven't read all of the comments, I would like to comment on some of the ones I have read.
This person was born a man, and started taking testosterone whcih caused this WOMAN to grow a penis and is now legally considered a MAN. She had her breasts removed and chest moved up but kept her sex organs so she could one day become pregnant.
I do not in anyway think this is "stealing the honor of motherhood". This person was also once a woman, but had a masculine side. She/he has a right to motherhood. They were also a woman at one time and know what it feels like to be one.
Why do you people care so much anyway? It really bothers me that people are so caught up in other peoples business. I know I am also being a part of this, but I am not discriminating anyone's choice. It was this persons choice to do this, and you can't change that. So why be against it? DIFFERENT PEOPLE WANT DIFFERENT THINGS. That's what makes us different.
Shelby at 7:21PM on Apr 15th 2008
32. personally i agree with many of you who say that "he" is not a man at all she was born a woman and never had her reproductive organs removed, and i have a question what makes a female a female and what makes a male a male? Because in my school we learned about 7 years ago that a man is some one who has a y and an X chromosone. now i am confused he cannot change his DNA can he cause if he can i want a smaller loud mouth (just kidding).
Sarah 12 at 6:17PM on May 8th 2008
33. Dramatized for the rest of it's life? You think they'll make a movie out of it?
Misa at 12:49AM on Jun 11th 2008