It goes without saying that there has definitely been an increase in visibility of transgender people and the various issues that they still currently face.
The media has taken more of an interest in the lives of transgender people by centering informative documentaries and news stories around them in order to normalize the community.
We are more likely, now than ever before, to discuss contentious issues surrounding people whose anatomy does not align with mainstream society’s ideas of gender.
For instance, the topic of transgender men and their ability to get pregnant challenges widely-held beliefs about which genders can biologically give birth to children.
Fortunately, now that our society is continuously increasing in acceptance and tolerance towards LGBTQ+ people, the stories of pregnant transgender men are becoming steadily more mainstream.
By documenting their pregnancies in the way that cisgender people would document theirs, they are increasing the visibility of trans people for other members of their community to draw support from.
So, without further ado, here are 10 trans men who are challenging the way society views gender and pregnancy.
- Thomas Beatie
Thomas Beatie is still the most well-known pregnant man in the world – and that’s because, if you remember, he was supposedly the very first! He became pregnant through artificial insemination back in 2007 due to his wife’s infertility, and the world was instantly fascinated by the seeming impossibility of their situation.
Thomas’ 2012 appearance on Oprah’s show came four years after he made his debut appearance as the first “pregnant man”. Thomas explained that he was doing “surprisingly fantastic” despite the numerous changes he had to come to terms with since becoming a public figure.
- Fernando Machado
In 2016, Fernando became the first trans man to get pregnant in Ecuador, and it certainly wasn’t easy. In spite of the inevitable adversity that the couple would face, he and his partner, Diane Rodriguez, were determined to become parents.
- Trystan Reese and Biff Chaplow
The couple’s first two children were Biff’s biological niece, Hailey, and nephew, Riley, who were both adopted when it became clear that Biff’s sister could not look after them. Trystan gave birth to the couple’s third child, Leo.
They decided to share their touching story on WNYC‘s parenting podcast, “The Longest Shortest Time”.
Trystan has always maintained that he never wanted to make changes to his anatomy as he transitioned and is proud to have been able to carry their child.
- Kayden Coleman
Kayden found out he was expecting a child midway through his gender confirmation process. He had been experiencing back pain and so asked his then-boyfriend to give him a massage. So Kayden laid on his stomach and noticed “It felt like there was a pillow under my stomach but there was no pillow.” He said, in jest, that they should do a pregnancy test and to their shock, it came back positive.
- Scott Moore
Scott had a baby with his husband, Thomas, who is also trans, back in 2010. At the time, he was referred to as the world’s “second pregnant man”.
After months of trying to get pregnant, they were delighted to finally find out that a child was on the way.
- Hayden Cross
Hayden Cross is Britain’s first pregnant man to have given birth to a girl, named Trinity-Leigh. At 21, he made headlines around the world when he first made it public that he was expecting a daughter.
Hayden had begun hormone treatment before falling pregnant but ultimately put his transition on hold so he could have his child.
- Chris Rehs-Dupin
Chris’ wife wasn’t able to conceive a child but fortunately, Chris had made no medical changes to his female anatomy was able to give birth to a baby girl.
- Jason Barker
Jason, who was born female, had always wanted to start a family one day, but also knew he wanted to transition from female to male. His partner, Tracey, was not able to conceive herself and so Jason happily stepped in.
- Kaci Sullivan
In 2017, Kaci Sullivan, from Wisconsin, gave birth as a transgender man, five years after having his first child as a woman.
“The moment the baby came out and I got to hear them cry was indescribable,” Kaci said. “It’s incredible to think that I had made this little human. After 26 weeks of morning sickness and seven days in labor, it was such a beautiful moment.”
“We are just so happy and grateful and enjoying spending time together as a family. The baby is delightful, loving and sweet,” he added. “The connection I’ve felt to them throughout my pregnancy has been an incredible privilege and the last nine months have brought my partner and I so close together.”
- Darcy A.
He always knew, regardless of his particular circumstances, he would eventually have children. He was born biologically female and came out as a lesbian when she was only 12 years old. Six years later, when she was 18, Darcy came out as transgender and started living openly as a man.
“I always knew that I would have a partner who did not have sperm and figured we would both carry children,” he told CBS News. In November 2014, after receiving sperm from a donor, Darcy gave birth to baby Hayden.
It’s pretty incredible that these men were able to successfully pursue their dreams of having children, in spite of the inevitable hardships they would face along the way. Hopefully, with each passing year, we will become even more tolerant and accepting of all minority groups.