A trans couple in the southern Indian state of Kerala state are expecting their first baby next month, in possibly the first case of its kind in the country, according to media reports.
In an Instagram post Ziya Paval, a dancer, announced that her partner, Zahad, is now eight months pregnant.
“We are about to realise my dream of becoming a mother and his dream of becoming a father. An eight-month-old foetus is now in (Zahad's) belly... From what we came to know, this is the first trans man's pregnancy in India...” the post said.
According to the couple, who have been living together in Kozhikode for three years, they were both undergoing hormone therapy but decided to stall treatment so that they could have a baby.
Ziya, 21, hailing from Malappuram district, is a classical dancer by profession. Zahad, 23, is from Thiruvananthapuram. Both of them used to meet at gatherings of transpersons.
“When we started to live together three years ago, we thought our lives should be different from other transgenders. Most transgender couples are boycotted by society as well as their families. We wanted a baby, so that we leave behind something of ourselves even after our days in this world are numbered,'' the dancer was quoted as saying to The Indian Express.
A team of doctors from the Kozhikode Medical College confirmed that there was no physical challenge in conceiving though both of them were in the process of gender transformation.
Zahad's family was very happy to hear of his pregnancy and initially told him to continue as a mother. But, he remains firm on the gender transition after the delivery. However, the family has come around to his decision.
“The trans community is living in constant fear of society. There are numerous transpeople who want to be a parent. There are many persons for whom the transman pregnancy is possible. But they are not coming forward,” Ziya said.
