Beatie not meant to be a mirror
ANALYSIS / Many trans men frustrated with media coverage
Will Scott /
Xtra.ca / Thursday, April 10, 2008
http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=1&STORY_ID=4614&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=1 On Mar 26 The Advocate published an article entitled "Labor of Love" by Thomas Beatie, a female-to-male (FTM) trans-sexual living in the US. In it Beatie details his experience of being pregnant while legally male.
Well-meaning friends and colleagues assume I identify with — and am concerned about the transphobic reactions to — Beatie's story. In truth I cringe and wish desperately that Beatie would go quickly and quietly away. The more discussion I hear about pregnant men, the more mortified and angry I become. It is a puzzling response considering that I am otherwise so committed to the rights of those who bend the borders of sex and desire. So what is it about Beatie and his desire to bear a child that bothers me? What should the transsexual body look like and who gets to decide?
