Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thomas was born Tracy and lived with her parents and 2 brothers in Hawaii - at 12 her mother committed suicide which caused her father to take a more active role. It wasn't until Tracy hit puberty that she started to question her body - used to being a tomboy, the feminine changes felt like a betrayal. As a teenager, Tracy was a beautiful girl and participated in pageants, even dated, but felt that it was what she was supposed to do. Tracy even had a 3 year relationship with her martial arts instructor for 3 years until she was 20.
In college, Tracy started the process of self-discovery and began dating women - even having a 3 plus year relationship, but she was not supportive of Tracy's decision to become a man. At 24 Tracy began the physical change to become a man which he said was a natural progression for him. Shortly after Thomas met his wife Nancy who was supportive about his change - Thomas shared that it was not a sexually driven desire, but one of matching internal feeling to the exterior appearance. Thomas began testosterone in 1998 and surgically had his breasts removed, though he kept his reproductive organs in tact.
Thomas explained that he has a strong male gender identity and that being pregnant does not define him or make him feel feminine - having a child is a human desire. Thomas legally became a man and is legally married to Nancy and since Nancy is not able to have children, it was only natural for them that Thomas would carry their child. One year ago the couple tried to have a child and lost it - Thomas had to have surgery in the process that made this pregnancy less likely. While Thomas' family is not involved, he and Nancy feel that their pregnancy is a miracle and want to share their story.
Finding a doctor that would treat Thomas was a difficult one - Thomas and Nancy even questioned what was so wrong with them that they were being turned away. Oprah's cameras followed the couple along for an ultrasound appointment - they will be having a girl. Thomas' pregnancy is healthy and normal but seeing the baby and feeling it is still surreal to them. Their doctor said that she couldn't turn them down and that she is just focusing on taking care of their baby, but is aware that it will challenge people's perceptions of family.
Thomas stopped taking testosterone 2 years ago and now has normal hormone levels which is why he looks more feminine than in older pictures. Changing hormone levels was important to have a healthy pregnancy and baby which they are well on their way to now.
To get pregnant the first time, the couple used a doctor to inject the sperm, but this time around opted to do it themselves. Nancy used a tool she picked up at the vet and did the sperm insemination herself.
Nancy's 2 daughters from a previous marriage, Amber and Jen, were also on the show in support of their family. They shared that it was a natural progression for Thomas to change and that they are supportive of their mother's marriage and new child. Nancy's daughters explained that they are just a regular family and that they wanted to put their own story out there before someone had the chance to exploit them.
Thomas and Nancy's neighbors, George and Victoria, were on the show via Skype and explained that they weren't shocked but surprised since they thought that Nancy was the one that was pregnant. George shared that he never knew that Thomas had at one time been a woman and that they are supportive of their neighbors.
