by Paiten Paul

Created on: April 22, 2008

The highly publicized story of Thomas, a pregnant man, has raised many questions. Among those asked is whether or not he is the world's first pregnant man. Other medical oddities and/or miracles aside, whether this is really the first time this ever happened clearly isn't the true issue. The real question is whether or not this pregnancy should be deemed valid given its extreme opposition to the views of the ever judgmental minds of the Moral Majority.

Appearing on Oprah with his wife by his side, this Thomas fellow revealed that he obviously wasn't born a man. Thomas, previously Tracy, was a woman who had undergone all the necessary surgical procedures to externalize a male persona that had been trapped within. The only female part he chose to keep was the womb due to his desire to have children of his own. What the opposition fails to realize is that Thomas did not give up his right to become a natural parent simply because he acted upon his desire to be who he really was. To Thomas, there was nothing feminine or motherly about carrying his baby. It was merely his duty as a parent. With his wife unable to carry children, Thomas was the only couple's chance at having a biological child.

Some may feel that this is an inappropriate environment in which to bring up a child. But I wonder why? Is it because the father was born as the wrong gender? What else? What other basis is there for this to be an unhealthy home for a baby? Is the baby's well being honestly threatened? Of course it isn't. All the surgeries and other transitions Thomas endured on his way to becoming male all happened before the baby ever came to be- so how can it possibly affect her? When the child is born, she will be with a mother and father who went through obstacles to have her and will therefore cherish her for the rest of their lives. Consider all the barriers this couple had to overcome to conceive this baby. Such an anticipated child as this one no doubt holds a great advantage over children born in less prepared circumstances. Obviously this couple is more than emotionally and financially ready to be parents.

Preconceived notions aside, contemplate the most valuable components for raising a child. What do kids need most? They need devotion, patience, understanding, and most of all, they need love. From what I saw of this couple, they have all of those things and with more to spare. Whether Thomas is the first man to experience this doesn't matter. Equally unimportant is his unique situation which has received national attention. What matters is that we as adults learn to tolerate something different than what we have been conditioned to. Instead of sitting on our high horses in front of the television and computer screens damning all that we don't understand, why don't we acknowledge that we are not better than anyone and simply let others be who they are.
A baby is indeed, being born into unusual circumstances, true. But a baby is also being born into a loving and complete family. That should be all that matters.

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