Thomas Beatie from Portland, Oregon, identifies himself as a straight, married man - who tells US gay magazine The Advocate this month that he's carrying the couple's child.
"I am transgender, legally male, and legally married to Nancy," he writes. "Unlike those in same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships, or civil unions, Nancy and I are afforded the more than 1,100 federal rights of marriage. Sterilization is not a requirement for sex reassignment, so I decided to have chest reconstruction and testosterone therapy but kept my reproductive rights. Wanting to have a biological child is neither a male nor female desire, but a human desire."
Having children seemed like a distant dream when the couple got together a decade ago, Thomas explains, as Nancy had undergone a hysterectomy and was unable to carry a child. Thomas, who was born female but had transitioned to male, stopped taking his testosterone injections a couple of years ago, after eight years living as a man.
The couple have experienced opposition from people who are upset by their situation, adds Thomas. "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."
The couple's baby girl is due in July.
The full story from The Advocate is on the link below.