Hard core.
People can be so mis-understood soemtimes.
It's a free country, you can do what you want!

it is a free country so i am just going to say that those people make me ill.

I do think that people can do whatever they want but I wonder if they really thought through the effect on their unborn child.
I wonder why they did not adopt...there are plenty of other options for parents that would not bring unwanted attention to their child.

I watched the show... and it just left me more confused than before (on how I feel about the situation).
It was heartwarming, but I just don't get how he can be legally a 'man' when he still has all of his reproductive organs in place. He took testosterone and his clitoris grew into a penis... but technically he still has a vagina right? From how they talked about the insemination it seemed that way.

I think they have every right to have babies, you can tell that they are devoted and really want this; just because they are in an unconventional situation doesn't mean that they are doing anything wrong.

they have a right to have babies, an i have a right to vomit in my mouth at the sight of them gestating said baby.

I don't know caterpillar, that is a slippery slope. I guess if you keep your vomit opinions to yourself then it won't perpetuate the feelings of hate that these people will surely deal with. Otherwise that baby surely WILL suffer because of OTHER PEOPLE, not her great, open-minded, loving parents.

gab- yes. I wish this was a world where everyone agreed with you and just let others be.

Everyone has a right to, say it with me now, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". As long as the baby is brought into a loving environment I do not think it matters the sexual preference of the parents. Gay parents do not raise gay babies. I do not see people up in arms when a crackhead and her pimp have a child that is promptly abandoned or abused. People focus so much on children before they are born and then mostly forget about those suffering after. It may seem strange or weird but that doesn't make it wrong. Everyone has a right to their own opinion and if you do not like something then look away and live your life the way you see as right. People should stop worrying so much about other people and focus on themselves and their family, I think the world would be a better place for it.

CJane, I agree the perpetuation of hate is what makes the world a broken and dangerous place, not love and understanding.

jessy- amen. People are so quick to say it is unfair to the baby if the parents are gay or transexual... what about kids from "conventional" families who are abused, beaten, ignored, molested... you can't say that someone is going to be a good parent because they are two white middle class heterosexuals.

Also I think this is exactly why Oprah had him on. She is studying a New Earth and trying to teach the world that we should not judge other people who are trying to live in peace.

sounds like the most important thing to them is that everyone know their story. whatever, and if the 2 children weren't "beautiful" would the story be less "normal"?

to me this is just like the people that go on maury and springer. they have a story to tell that isn't like anyone elses and they want to have their 15 minutes. i personally feel that when you become a parent it isn't about you any more it's about your child, and maybe this child won't appreciate the whole world knowing their story before they have a chance to learn it for themself. not saying to hide, not saying to deny wht is happening, just saying why do they have to spot light themselves for the world. to me that is circus like and i wouldn't exploit my unborn baby that way.

"normal" is a setting on the dryer, but "typical" is not broadcasting your intimate details on television.

They said that they wanted to tell their story on Oprah because their situation has gotten out in the media and they did not want people to speak FOR them- they wanted to tell their story themselves.

I guess it just seems that they way that they chose to have a baby is what created the story that then got out and that then put them on Oprah.

I support their right to raise a family and to be non-traditional in their relationship... There are many nontraditional families who love and nurture their kids more than traditional ones

BUT there were other ways for them to have a child- this particular choice has put them and their child in the spotlight and they had to know that would cause damage.

What were the other choices to have a natural child? Why would those choices be better for THIS family- Thomas said that he kept his female parts because he knew he wanted to have a baby someday. There is nothing wrong with that choice. The wife couldn't carry the baby.

Caterpillargirl, I vomit with you.

They make a big deal out of this "guy" being a pregnant man. HELLO, she is not a man. She is a woman. She has a woman's insides so I don't care if she had her boobs removed she has a woman's reproductive organs. This is ludicrous! Caterpillargirl and DesignRchic, I too vomit with you.

I think this is a wonderful and still incredibly hard thing for this man to do.

I went through a big shock when a friend of mine started transitioning, and I thought I was pretty open-minded. A lot of trans-issues rankle at the edges (and often the very heart) of what we consider social and societal gender norms.

Which explains the vomiting going on in this topic, I bet.

Kudos to the man and his wife, this is just neat from my perspective! And best of luck to the baby.

I THINK THIS COUNRTY IS GETTING SO BAD PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT AND WE LET THEM BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO HURT THERE FEELING BOO WHOO IF "IT" WANTED TO HAVE A BABY THEN DON'T GO HAVE A SEX CHANGE IF YOU WANT TO BE A BOY THEN BE A BOY BECASUE ALL "IT" IS NOW IS A CIRCUS FREAK!!!!

The thing is...this is NOT a man. I don't know what the big BUZZ is. "Thomas" apparently did not really want to be a man because the one true distinction of a man from a woman is a uterus and ovaries. She has a maternal instinct and had every intention of one day fulfilling that instinct by bearing a child. This is a lesbian who has had a radical breast reduction, grown a beard with the help of taking male hormones (which some women can do without any meds), cut her hair and dresses like a man. Honestly, I could still see many female mannerisms. It's no big deal, just an attention seeking weird pregnant gay woman.

This is nuts. I don't care if you call him a man or not. If he was created as a female by God, then it doesn't matter what the doctors did to her. She is still a female. Otherwise, she would be able to have sex with a woman and the other woman become pregnant. "He" is pregnant because "he" is a "she"!

The thing is, tranisitioning happens in stages, guys. Sometimes transpeople never get the surgeries (and the female to male surgeries aren't even that good yet!)

So what happens if the gender you are doesn't match the sex of your genitals? Which one do you live as?

Actually, this is not a real man that is pregnant.

This is a person that is female who chose to change her sex to resemble a male. A real natural male is not capable of getting pregnant to be able to give birth. Had this female person not retain her uterus when she transformed herself to resemble a man, she would never have been able to get pregnant. Because again we all know for a fact that a real natural man cannot get pregnant nor give birth.

Although this person may have the right to live his or her life the he or she chooses, the headlines are incorrect to say Man is pregnant and having a baby when in fact it is a female person that has transformed herself to a man that is pregant.

I understand that there are some legitimate concerns with a transman carrying a fetus to term, but Thomas and his wife consulted with doctors and he stopped taking his male hormones long before the conception ever took place. (Which is why his voice sounds so high in interviews now.)

I agree with nuri that Thomas is doing an incredibly selfless thing in carrying a biological child to term for his wife. It's hard enough to be a transman -- especially a transman who chose not to have bottom surgery -- and have people understand how you define your gender, as evidenced by some of the above comments. And its even harder to be a transman who has decided to do something antithetical to his constructed gender identity, especially with negative criticism from people who don't quite understand his actions.

The crux of the matter is that Thomas and Nancy obviously want their baby. And he and his wife have said in interviews that they will raise their child with a mother and a father. It's not that strange or abnormal of a family. This baby will clearly be loved. And that's the most important part.

I wish Thomas and Nancy the same thing I would wish for any other expectant couple — that they have a healthy and happy baby. And, I hope the child has a wonderful life.

Let's just all remember that he/she may be sworn in by the state as a man; however, genetically he/she was not created a man by God. If God wanted this individual to be a man then this individual would have been born a man. God only created women with the female parts to have the ability to nurture and carry a child in their bodies. Hence, why this individual is able to carry a child because God created this person as a woman.

I understand my view point to be quite harsh; however, I do not feel that we (humans) should be messing around with what God has created; especially if you are a healthy individual.

I feel for people who are transgender, but this person seems to me like "he" is a bit confused. Do you want to be a man? Do you want to give birth? I just think there are mental/ emotional issues to be dealt with in this case. Just because they appeared on Oprah and seemed like a prefect, loving family does not mean that you got a full picture of what their home is like. Of course anyone who can have children should, it is their right. I just wonder what the future holds for them. I am skeptical.

I agree with jlmclau and charcar3266.
This is sick & twisted to say it is a man is having a baby. And what is sad is that people are feeding into this. Of more important topics to dicuss Oprah could have found something else. It is true ppl.can do what they want but just keep it to yourself. Its not cute, its not natural and it is quiet disturbing and misleading. I would not want my child to grow up and think this is natural. U may say Im small minded but so what as America we are to accpeting of everything. This is one thing I will never accpet. He is not and "he". He is a "she" I dont care how much facial hair you have or mens clothing you put on. She is still a woman.

the whole thing is pretty bizarre. that child is going to have a tough life dealing w/ all the controversy of his/her birth. they may be loving parents...but it is still outrageous and weird. just when we think we've seen it all something stranger comes along.

And who gets to decide that weird is bad? Yes, Thomas is a biological woman but has chosen to live life as a male. I agree, he is not a "pregnant man" but I do not think that what he and his wife are doing is wrong. I take offense to "traditional" families being held up as the only right standard because I was not raised in one. I grew up with a single mother who couldn't have done a better job raising 3 girls. My father wasn't a parent(abandonment will do that) but people still think it is ok for him to have had children but not "non-traditional" GLBT couples. I have been called a bastard and been told I was "born into sin" because my parents weren't married when I was born. I lived through it and I am strong and independent and I love my family, as is. As long as this child has a support system life will not be harder for it because of it's family. If anything it will be better. I hope they have a healthy and happy baby and a blissful life as parents.

guys, for those who disagree and feels like vomiting?? oh please.. don't come out clean.. you are not God for you guys to judge. don't you think you should vomit on your own black souls? if you were in their shoes, i'm sure you'd feel the pain. God never said that we should criticize.. if you are a Godly person, you instead shut your mouth and pray for them. Not pull them down. Be afraid of karma. We are all imperfect. See the blessings behind every story.

So Iloveclay3, our opinions dont mean anything...because we cannot judge another human being, is that correct? but you can say we have "black souls" and apparantly are all bad christians (isnt that judging?). I am not sure if you know how the sugar sites work but you should start out by not telling other posters.....who are on a site BUILT for stating opinions, to shut thier mouth.

Yet another way mankind tries to manipulate what was set in order. This is not a man having a baby. If Barry Bonds cheated to get his homeruns in the eyes of the majority, this would fit into a similar category, someone trying to have it both ways and wanting to be the first to accomplish something different. Now she, I mean he, is making the television circuit securing quite a profit from this "Oh my gosh, how did this happen?" scenario. When she/he (I'm soooo confused!!!) has all the parts out and THEN gets pregnant, bring on the announcement!

Help me understand this (Yes, I REALLY want to understand how this all works)? Does this make him a male lesbian seeing he originally was a woman but now is a "man", yet married to a woman. Does the other stuff that comes along with being a male come along with this change? Does she, I mean he, have even the slightest of capabilities of getting a woman pregnant now that he, I mean she, has had this change?

Jessy, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" also includes the need to be responsible. Ex: money makes me happy therefore I shoudl do whatever I have to in order to have money (a.k.a. rob a bank). I am not questioning whether this couple is responsible in raising a child, I am questioning their wisdom in bringing a child into this situation altogether. If we have people already this confused, how confused is this kid going to be? I know, wait and see.

One last thing...just because someone has the right to be happy does not mean that they are right when they choose to do something. I maintain that in probably 98% of all situations there is a right and wrong answer if we care to search it out. However most of us simply want to be who we are and to hell with the consequences adn whether it is right or not.

This whole story confuses me. I didn't watch all of Oprah just part. Personally if I was in this situation I would have just adopted a child before going though all of this. He is now alarmed at the amount of media coverage that he's getting and doesn't want to be a part of it. Adopting a child would have been very quick and easy in comparison to this. This child and family will be watched for a very long time.

WOW. Jesse, I'd like you to know that nowadays, a single parent family is traditional. My husband grew up in one for part of his life, and he turned out fine. My family has never had a divorce EVER and I grew up fine. I know children and peers that were raised by gay/lesbian parents, and some of them are fine, and some of them are not. The situation that they are in is normal...except that the 'man' is having the baby and the 'woman' impregnated 'him'... If that kid doesn't grow up screwed up, good for him or her! Chances are that he/she will...I think it's selfish for people to have a baby without thinking of the consequences..not for them, but for the baby. They may love the baby, but if they truly loved the baby, they would have a)not had the baby to begin with, or b)not gone all public with it to make their child a freak show before birth!

I think that this is what God intended...for a woman to bear a child! I don't think them being pregnant is wrong...I think the tv stuff and the fact that mommy is daddy and daddy is mommy is wrong. Of course, something really messed up had to happen in their past to make them this way. We aren't supposed to judge, you're right there, ilovecole, but there you are judging us. So what, us christians are supposed to sit here and watch the world literally go to hell in a handbasket with Oprah supporting and sponsoring it?? I've read Matthew chapter 7, and I know we aren't supposed to judge. But I also know that just because we're christians doesn't mean that we are perfect. It means that we are forgiven.

I'll be praying for that baby. Poor thing.

Oh, and Jessy, my husbands dad was never there. Ever. He hasn't ever paid a dime of child support and lives in another state. He did however have a stepdad who for part of the time was ok, and for part of the time was horrible. He turned out fine, but he's still scarred. He'd be better off if his life wasn't like that. He knows it. I know it. The world should know it.

I could care less about the pregnancy issue (although the sensationalism of "man having baby" is ridiculous), but I find it troubling that they were able to be married legally...when technically they're a lesbian couple. This sounds incredibly hypocritical, and I'd be very offended if I was gay (I'm pretty offended, and I'm straight!). Because Thomas is male on the outside, that's enough of a loophole for the courts to determine this is a legal marriage?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that if you have a uterus that makes you female. And does anyone know if Thomas has a penis? Cause no amount of male hormones makes your clit grow into one!

bigdzgirl, he has not had bottom surgery, thus he doesn't have a penis

It's true some of the comment make me sad. I totally understand the want to have a biological child as appose to adopting. I have nothing against adopting but some people just want to experience the emotions that grow while the child grows inside you. I think it's awesome that they were able to conceive and honestly there were times when I wished my husband could carry our son for me.

So I say "Yeah, them, I hope it goes well and their child is healthy and happy."

Amber, maybe this is sexist, but if my husband were to carry a child for us I would probably never be able to have sex with him afterwards. I guess I just see men as men and not having big pregnant bellies and complaining of nausea and swollen ankles. I'm not talking about this couple, I know they are really a gay couple.

That's what I thought. So if 'Thomas' doesn't have a penis, then how is she considered a man by the state??? Their marriage shouldn't be valid. I am offended by the grossness this situation has come to bear. I mean, if they would have stayed their own gender, they could still be pregnant, and we wouldn't be typing about them. I'm 6 months pregnant and just entered my third trimester too...and y'all aren't typing about that...cause it's common! Normal...well, typical.

Also, I don't think they would be allowed to adopt...I mean, maybe one of them. As far as I understand the law, adoption agencies don't allow gay couples to adopt, only one of the partners can. I don't know what their stance would be on letting parents adopt who have swapped genders.

Wow... You people make me ill. I am absolutely appalled by the ignorance and prejudice in these comments.

Advice:
1. Learn what it means to be a transgendered person before speaking about transgendered people.
2. Learn the difference between gender and sex.
3. Learn some tolerance.

Thank you firelectra. I didn't think 'he' had a penis. So if Thomas doesn't have a penis, how is 'he' considered a man by the state??? Their marriage should not be valid. If they would have both stayed the sex that God made them, they could be in the same situation, just without all of us talking about them. I'm also in my third trimester, and I don't see any of you typing about me. But I'm a woman who got impregnated by her husband...what's the fun in talking about the typical??

As for the adoption, I don't think that agencies would let them. As I understand the law, gay couples can't adopt babies, only one partner can, and then legally the baby is only one of theirs, though they view both as parents. But I don't think that two people who swapped genders would get to adopt a baby. If they won't let gay couples, why let gender confused couples? I mean, mentally, they have been skewed in life, otherwise he wouldn't want to be a she and she wouldn't want to be a he. I don't know. I vomit along some of you.

Oh, and Jessy, the people who get to decide what is weird and if it's wrong, are the public. We all get to decide what's weird, based off of what seems typical. Law decides whether it's wrong or not, and the law isn't always right. God is, and I assure you, he thinks it's wrong. He didn't tell me that, I'm not a kook, but I've read enough of the bible to know. With a snap of his fingers sodom and gomorah were gone...and that was pretty much for idolatry, prostitution, and gays...I'm sure that he's not against all of that, but all "Hey--back off Thomas and Nancy! They're cool in my book!"

M155, in my opinion there is nothing more obnoxious than a person who acts holier than though without actually making a good point. Instead of calling people names, maybe you should try to enlighten them, since you have so much more knowledge.

gen·der (jndr)
n.

1. Sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture.
2. a. The condition of being female or male; sex.
b. Females or males considered as a group: expressions used by one gender

Well, I looked up the definition of gender, and funny enough, sex and gender are synonyms. They mean the same thing...unless of course, you're talking about having sex, then that's different..just so you know.

I think that having too much tolerance has gotten us this far. I don't advocate the beating or persecution of anyone...but I do believe in the first ammendment, so I can type what I want, and you and all the others can type what they want, and hopefully without a huge raise in blood pressure, we will finish this debate. Though I doubt this debate will ever be finished, since there are still whites who hate blacks.

And if this whole chat group was all transgendered people (or just people who know what it means...I get what it means...I just don't know how they get to that point...) then it wouldn't be a debate, now would it? It'd be bias as hell.

Sorry for the double print up there. My computer shut off and I didnt see it before I retyped it. Off subject, but...

This should seriously tick off all the gay men and lesbians out there. I mean, it's the only loophole I see to get past the whole "man and woman" marriage thing...though I still don't understand how a person with a vagina, uterus, ovaries, and falopian tubes...just without mammory glands...can be a man! I'd love to hear the court/judge/whoever deemed that one explain his or herself
on that decision. It's not like I think that they should make you drop your pants to prove your manhood, but sheesh!