An Analysis Of The Transgender Pregnant Man Story

I must admit the first time I heard about the transgender pregnant man story I was confused, horrified, and shocked. I can definitely say I am prejudiced. I can also admit when I am wrong. I don’t want to be prejudiced though because I know how hard it is to live in a heterosexist  patriarchal society. I will admit my biases right here and right now. The issue here is not about whether being transgender is a moral issue. I believe transgender people have a right to decide if they want to transform their bodies with surgery and hormones.

A part of me was afraid that the media would lump the transgender story with homosexuality. People need to be aware homosexuality and transgender issues are two completely separate distinct topics. The quandary is the public is ignorant, confused, and tends to believe homosexuality and transgender issues are the same and this is false.

Gay people we are secure with our biological bodies and gender we are just sexually attracted to people of the same sex. Transgender people believe they are born in the wrong biological bodies and want to transform their physical bodies to conform to the images that makes them happy.

After a discussion about gender, sexual orientation, and life, with a friend the other day I realize my views are a bit flawed. I do feel like the mainstream media is treating Mr. and Mrs. Beattie as a freak sideshow though. Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Beattie don’t care anyway? Some people are upset because they believe the story isn’t really a news story at all and just an example of the media trying to scare and shock the public. After all, Thomas Beatie is still biologically speaking a female he has a fallopian tube and uterus so of course he can have a child. Thomas was born female not male.

Yes, Thomas Beattie has taken testosterone hormones and has an external appearance of looking very masculine but his biological body is still female. It is simply impossible for biologically born males to have a child. Thomas also has his female reproductive organs he has ovaries, one fallopian tube, a vagina, and a uterus.

Perhaps this is the concern of the transgender community as well that the mainstream are just going to persecute and generalize them again? But don’t Mr. and Mrs. Beattie have a right to tell their story on their own terms? So what if Mr. and Mrs. Beattie are cashing in? We all got to do what’s best for ourselves right?

Sure, Mr. and Mrs. Beattie are trying to capitalize off of the story but why not? Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Beattie need the money and want a book deal and so what? Is there a rule that says the Beatties have to be altruistic? Don’t we live in a survival of the fittest society and isn’t that everyone’s mentality in a capitalist world?

I have no right to judge and neither does anyone else. My views changed after talking with the friend and also watching the episode on Oprah. A lot of people complain about Oprah and yes perhaps Oprah wanted Mr. and Mrs. Beattie on her program for ratings. The Beaties appear to be a loving couple and although they are a non traditional family they deserve happiness and respect just like everyone else.

I also believe Oprah wants to educate the masses about transgender issues. Transgender people are human beings as well. Thomas Beattie’s wife was unable to carry a child to term because she had a hysterectomy. Thomas still has his uterus and one working fallopian tube he was able to become pregnant. If Mr. and Mrs. Beatie get rich off of this story more power to them they have to pay their bills just like everyone else.