Transphobes are being called out over their outrage in response to the new children's book In My Daddy’s Belly by trans author Logan Brown, which was inspired by his experience being pregnant and having a baby.
Brown was on the cover of Glamour UK magazine in June 2023 and welcomed his daughter into the world later that year. Brown said afterward that Glamour "fully embraced me and my body on the days of the shoot."
In My Daddy's Belly, published in November 2023, follows the protagonist's “excitement and joy of welcoming a new baby into a loving family” and even comes with tips and resources for other parents.
The book's description reads:
“Alongside the story, there are optional interactive questions to help children explore their feelings in a safe space, FAQs, tips for adults and resources to family-centric transgender charities. This book is excellent for introducing children to transgender parents, opening discussion around different families [and] enabling children to grow into kind and understanding adults.”
But angry conservatives, including transphobic activist Sarah Smith, have lashed out.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Smith said:
"It’s time we start removing books like “In my Daddy’s Belly” from shelves across America! It is a biological fact that men cannot get pregnant! We all know that only women have the necessary reproductive organs and hormones needed for pregnancy."
"No matter how much a man may want to experience the miracle of carrying a child, it is simply not possible! This is not something that can be changed or debated, it is a scientific reality! MEN CANNOT HAVE BABIES!"
The group Gays Against Groomers also complained, saying:
"Parents SHOULD be outraged at this nonsense. Men can’t get pregnant—end of story."
Others also piled on.
But none of that negates the fact that people can read stories like this to their children as part of a wholesome and educational experience, as seen in the video below.
Here, the story was read by Freddy McConnell, the subject of the 2020 documentary SeaHorse: The Dad Who Gave Birth. The film explored the experiences of pregnant transgender men, chronicling McConnell's journey to parenthood.
And the reactions to this were touching indeed.
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These critics are wrong, of course.
Transgender men, individuals assigned female at birth who identify as men, can become pregnant.
While many trans men undergo hormonal treatments like testosterone therapy, not all opt for surgical procedures to remove their reproductive organs. If a trans man retains his uterus and ovaries and pauses or discontinues hormone therapy, pregnancy remains a possibility.
Testosterone therapy can influence the pregnancy process for trans men. It often halts menstruation and causes changes to the endometrial lining of the uterus, potentially impacting fertility and increasing the risk of certain pregnancy complications.
However, the effects of testosterone on fertility can vary significantly among individuals. Some trans men may still conceive even after using testosterone therapy.
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