First Man in the World to Give Birth – Here He Is, 16 Years Later
In 2008, Thomas Beatie made headlines around the world as the first publicly known transgender man to give birth. His story sparked international debate, challenged societal norms, and brought global attention to issues of gender, identity, and parenthood. Sixteen years later, Thomas reflects on his journey not as a sensation, but as a father, husband, and advocate who helped shift the world’s understanding of what it means to create and nurture a family.
Thomas, assigned female at birth, began his transition in his twenties. He underwent hormone therapy and legally changed his gender to male but retained his female reproductive organs. After marrying his wife Nancy, the couple discovered she couldn’t conceive. Determined to have children, Thomas made the remarkable decision to carry their child himself. In 2008, he gave birth to their first daughter, Susan. Two more children followed in subsequent years.
The public reaction to his pregnancy was explosive. Some celebrated Thomas as a pioneer, while others responded with disbelief, criticism, or even hostility. Media outlets dubbed him “The Pregnant Man,” often sensationalizing the story rather than focusing on the deeply human experience behind it. Through it all, Thomas remained composed, using the spotlight to advocate for transgender rights and visibility, insisting that biology doesn’t determine one’s ability to love and raise a child.
Sixteen years later, Thomas lives a quieter life in Phoenix, Arizona. Now in his early 50s, he’s raising his three children—now teenagers—with deep pride. His eldest, Susan, is applying to colleges, and the family enjoys a close bond built on openness, acceptance, and resilience. While their family structure once made headlines, today it looks much like any other: soccer games, homework, family dinners, and the occasional squabble over screen time.
Thomas has also remarried and continues to work as a motivational speaker, writer, and advocate. He often speaks at universities and conferences about gender identity, reproductive rights, and his personal journey. He emphasizes that his story is not about fame but about family—about what happens when love overcomes stigma.
Looking back, Thomas acknowledges the difficulties—the judgment, the invasive questions, the legal battles over documentation and recognition—but he also sees how far society has come. Trans representation in media, politics, and public life has grown, and conversations around gender diversity are more common and nuanced than ever before. Still, he believes there’s much work to be done to protect trans rights and ensure access to inclusive healthcare.
“I didn’t set out to make history,” Thomas has said in interviews. “I just wanted to have a family. But if my experience helped make things easier for the next person, then it was worth it.”
Today, Thomas Beatie stands not just as the world’s first pregnant man, but as a symbol of courage, transformation, and parental love—a quiet reminder that families come in many forms, and every one of them deserves dignity, respect, and the chance to thrive.
