Friday, April 4, 2008

Bun in the (Boy) Oven



During my second trimester with Cooper, I posted an entry on the DallasChild blog (I was an editor at the time), entitled “My Hubby is ‘Pregnant,’ Too.”

I lovingly (and laughingly) wrote: “OK, so my hubby, Chris, is no medical marvel, a la Arnold Schwarzenegger in Junior, but I think he’s getting pretty close. Since the day I said the words ‘You’re going to be a daddy!,’ Chris has been experiencing sympathetic pregnancy — and it’s cracking me up!”

Who knew that just a year and half later that another mommy-2-B would be able to relate so well, only she wouldn’t be kidding.

Thomas Beattie, a transgender man, has been making headlines of late with his shocking news that as a legal male, he has a bun in the oven.

I have always joked (as I’m sure most women during some miserable point of pregnancy or labor and delivery has) that the next kid was coming from my husband. But, wow, really? This is now a reality?

I don’t want to be so closed-minded as to say that I don’t think this is an “OK” advancement in the miracle that is modern science, but I also don’t want to be so quick to embrace an idea that strips away the very essence of womanhood.

I wonder: Has interchangeability replaced identity?

And when, exactly, did the world become a place where people are puzzles who simply pick and choose their pieces until they feel complete?

After all, if we were meant to experience — literally — the best of both worlds, then I would have the freedom to piss where I pleased and forgo the hours-long line for the ladies room.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hear, hear!

If he gets to do this, then I get to use the men's room. I'm tired of waiting in line!

Anonymous said...

3 thoughts:

One - I can't help but think all this is a way to either make money off the bizzare or bring awareness to the transgender population's equality struggles.

Two - perhaps the 'legally' male status needs to be further defined. Thomas still has enough fully functioning girlie parts to successfully carry a baby to term - to me that means Thomas is female.

Three - what an unfair lifetime situation Beattie couple is forcing upon a child. The kid will be viewed by the public as an oddity. Imagine this child in elementary school...

courtney said...

I think it's only fair that he/(she?) also have to breastfeed.

Anonymous said...

That crap is just freakish! I'm not judging, but I'm pretty sure that is not God's will.

Anonymous said...

Good grief I just wrote this long comment and hit the wrong button and erased it!! OK, here we go...I have thought over this all weekend...this is what I think. I have become more liberal (shock) in my views of people as I have gotten older...simply because, life is short and some people have never been happy their entire life. I have known tonz of gay friends over the years and some so miserable that they attempted suicide...no on should be that unhappy with life! On the other hand I have worked my entire life in the medical field and some break throughs I see as fabulous while others see as against God. I am a life long Christian and God is the very rock of my soul...so I cannot believe that He meant for people to feel so lost and lonely. This is the point though...people make choices whether we like them or not, but they just better be ready to answer the hard questions when they face their Maker.
lovemimi

Anonymous said...

Ok, here's my take on it...SHE can call herself a man all SHE wants but I have these words ringing in my head..."It's what on the inside that counts..." Well, inside, SHE IS A WOMAN!!! SHE has a uterus. If this had been a man, living as a man (penis and all), with an fertility challenged wife and made the sacrifice to get the proper plumbing to have a baby, then I'd be singing a different tune. (I don't even want to go there). At the end of the day, for me, this is the case of a woman who wanted to be a man but didn't go the full distance and left the back door open two live a half and half existence. A man isn't pregnant...SHE was born a woman and remains ENOUGH of a woman to do what God intended only a WOMAN can do. Sorry fellas, but I'm taking this point OFF of your collective scoreboard. No man (GOD-made man or otherwise) will ever have the privilege of doing what my body can do. (yes, you can read this with the na-na-na-na-na-na tune in your head).

(Asking a pregnant woman this question may have been asking for it, in my defense!) :)

Lots of love to all the amazing women and mommies out there!

Lindsay

Sawatzky family said...

WOW what a first to come back to and read! Way to discuss current events! :)
I saw this person on Oprah and was was just disturbed by the while thing. What I saw was not a man or a woman but someone who was hopelessy confused and grasping onto the worldsd motto of "do what feels right at the time" Had she truly believed herself a man I do not believe she would be carrying a baby right now. Pregnancy is something that is the very essence of what it means to be a woman. Fullfilling part of our God given purpose to carry life into this world. Unfortunalty we live in a world seperated from our creator where sin can twist and turn us until we don't which way is up or weather we're girl or boy, gay or straight. I feel for this family and this unborn baby for the struggles they will face as a result of some bad choices. Okay I can tell I could go on and on so I am cutting myself off here LOL
Great Hot Topic!
Shelly

~ Straight Shooter ~ said...

Amen Sister! Oh...and ewwww...

S Club Mama said...

thank you for your post and insight. I have been following this on all the talk shows and news programs. Although this she/he disturbs me as a Christian, I never looked at it as a mom. Weird! But I just have to agree with you that it's just not right for this person to be a man but want motherhood.