Thirteen years ago, Thomas Beatie made history as the first man to publicly announce his pregnancy and subsequent birth, a groundbreaking event that challenged societal norms and brought transgender issues into the global spotlight. Today, at 47, Beatie is a father of four and married to his second wife, Amber Nicholas. Leveraging his unique experiences as an author, public speaker, and advocate, Beatie has dedicated his life to educating others on LGBTQIA+ topics, with a particular focus on transgender fertility and reproductive rights.

Born female and assigned the name Trace, Beatie recognized his male identity from a young age, publicly coming out in 1997 and undergoing sex reassignment surgery in 2002. Prior to his transition, Beatie made the conscious decision to retain his reproductive organs, knowing he desired to have a family. In 2007, through artificial insemination, he became pregnant as his then-wife Nancy was infertile, leading to the birth of his first child, Susan, in 2008. This landmark event, widely publicized through an interview with Oprah Winfrey, thrust Beatie into the center of intense media attention and public discourse.

The widespread coverage of Beatie’s pregnancy, while pivotal in raising transgender visibility, also subjected him to relentless media scrutiny, misgendering, and deadnaming. Despite the challenges and misunderstandings he faced, Beatie continued to expand his family, giving birth to two more children with Nancy before their divorce in 2012. He later married Amber in 2016, and they welcomed a child together in 2018, with Amber carrying the pregnancy.

Reflecting on the impact of his story, Beatie believes it served as a crucial “eye-opener” regarding the importance of fertility for transgender individuals, a topic that was largely absent from public awareness at the time. While acknowledging the difficulties of being constantly referred to as “the pregnant man” and the hurtful comments he endured, Beatie remains proud of his journey and his role in bringing his children into the world, viewing his ability to do so as a personal “badge.”

Now residing with his family in Phoenix, Arizona, Beatie continues his mission to educate and advocate for transgender rights. By sharing his personal experiences and insights, he has undoubtedly paved the way for greater understanding and acceptance within society, using his voice to champion those facing discrimination and contribute to positive change within the transgender community.