Pregnant US man defends right to have child

NEW YORK (AFP) — Thomas Beatie, a US man who was born female, underwent gender realignment surgery and is now pregnant, has sparked renewed debate in the United States about the rights of transgender individuals. Beatie, who is legally male but decided to keep his female sex organs during chest reconstruction surgery and testosterone therapy, has appeared in several magazines and on Oprah Winfrey's talkshow since revealing that he is pregnant.

"I feel it's not a male or female desire to have a child. It's a human need. I'm a person and I have the right to have a biological child," Beatie told chat show host Winfrey this week, sporting a light beard.

His unusual situation first became public when he wrote an article in the leading US gay magazine The Advocate last month, entitled "Labor of Love." "To our neighbors, my wife, Nancy, and I don't appear in the least unusual," he wrote, explaining that his wife was unable to have a child after undergoing a hysterectomy and that they had conceived by artificial insemination. "Our situation sparks legal, political, and social unknowns," Beatie wrote, adding the couple had experienced opposition from health care professionals, friends and family.

One doctor refused to treat the couple, after consulting an ethics board.

"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," Beatie wrote.

While some have come out in support of Beatie's right to bear a child, and decried the discrimination that Beatie and other transgender individuals are up against, others have been less supportive....

"It's called 'childbirth' and it is a 'female' thing -- not a 'male' thing. Period," wrote another. "If I choose to not have 'bottom' surgery and keep my original genitals intact, as far as I'm concerned I've chosen to simply present as male, not become a male," said a writer, identified as Alicia "Joey" Brite.

I am dumbstruck by the disingenuous and sensationalist language of these news! Pregnant male ...indeed! So what do you call someone with 2 X chromosomes, a uterus , ovaries ....and without a wonker who actually wants to get pregnant???? .....Certainly NOT A GUY! Why would any male, even a trangender one, want to keep female sexual organs...that defeats the purpose doesn't it? Or think about getting "pregnant" later? A crossdresser taking hormones, a person in transition as to their gender identity. ..maybe, a sincere and nice person probably.;.but a MALE...hardly!

The media must think the average American is idiotic or that if they repeat the "pregnant male" line long enough people will actually believe it! Of course Thomas is free to do as she/he chooses in this wonderful land of the free.....but by all means call things what they are.....!

Lord have Mercy on Us

Seraph