Freddy McConnel is sharing his experience after giving birth to his son, Jack, and gaining fame for documenting the process in his own film.
He described the pregnancy as life-changing and emotionally profound. Now, he’s shedding light on how his pregnancy does not change the fact that he’s a transgender male.
In the past, he took testosterone and underwent top surgery, which is the removal of breast tissue to give him those characteristic male features when transitioning.
He decided not to have a hysterectomy because he always wished to keep the option of pregnancy open. When he stopped taking testosterone to conceive, his body underwent changes. He regained periods, his facial hair lightened, and his voice altered. There were also days when some questioned what he was doing.
McConnell explained how being pregnant did not alter his identity as a trans individual. “If I am pregnant, it does not change me being trans,” he added.
He also wished to normalize stories of trans individuals to show that they are not sensational or scary in nature but simply a part of the entire human experience.
He made a documentary called Seahorse to better explain this and tell a story that was on his own terms. He also rejected the sensationalization portrayals of trans people.
Living in a smaller coastal town in southern England during his pregnancy made him realize that he was more comfortable here than in a big city, adding how a little empathy from people goes a long way.