Kaspar-Williams knew pregnancy would be challenging as a transgender man—but he never expected his biggest battle would be for basic recognition. During the birth of his son Hudson, medical staff repeatedly misgendered him, calling him “mother” despite his clear male identity.
“I transitioned years ago,” explained the 37-year-old, who uses he/him and they/them pronouns. “When I chose to carry our child, I thought hospitals would be more progressive. Instead, I spent my delivery constantly correcting people.”
The issue runs deeper than semantics. By automatically equating childbirth with motherhood, healthcare systems erase diverse family structures. “My husband is just as much a parent as I am,” Kaspar-Williams noted. “Yet because I carried Hudson, suddenly I was ‘mom’ to everyone in that room—no matter how many times I said otherwise.”
His experience underscores the vital need for gender-inclusive language in obstetrics. As more LGBTQ+ individuals build families through pregnancy, hospitals must adapt to ensure every parent feels respected during what should be life’s most joyful moments.
