The title says it all. Not only is Thomas Beatie the
buzz of the internet world, he's also respected by one of the most powerful celebrities in media, Oprah Winfrey. According to Yahoo, Beatie, a resident of Oregon, was born a woman but
decided 10 years ago to become a man. He began undergoing testosterone treatments and flattened his chests by removing hormonal glands. Beatie is legally male and has a "very stable male identity." His wife of five years, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, said that nothing in the family's relationship will change as a result of this pregnancy. So why does he want a baby now? As Beatie said, "It's not a male or female desire to have a child. It's a human desire."
Yet sometimes the world isn't too liberal-minded about transgendered individuals and their achievements. Especially in China. For example, back in 2004,
Chen Lili was turned down for a Miss Universe beauty contest by the event's Chinese Headquarters after she was discovered to be a transsexual. This is after she won a regional competition in Sichuan Province. As a successful model, Chen underwent complete transsexual surgery and changed her legal status to a woman earlier that year. She was happy enough to say "I hope to clinch the crown" before being removed from the competition altogether. Some transgender advocates and beauty experts backed Chen, to no avail. "She has been granted the status as a woman, and is protected and recognized by law. There is no reason to kick her out," said one advocate. However, she did pave the way for other transsexuals to be accepted (initially) as she was. Beatie may end up thanking her for her sacrifice, yet they live in two completely different worlds.
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