Thomas and Nancy Beatie were married in Hawaii in 2003. Thomas Beatie, a transgender man, is known worldwide as “the pregnant man.” He is now seeking a divorce.
Thirty-nine-year-old Beatie was born female, but began to live as a man while in his 20’s. He changed his name, took testosterone injections, and underwent breast-removal surgery. Although he kept his female reproductive organs, he was recognized as male under Oregon state law. He and Nancy married a year after the breast removal surgery.
Nancy, who has two older daughters, was unable to carry a pregnancy because of a hysterectomy. The couple decided that Beatie should carry their children. In order to become pregnant, Beatie stopped the testosterone injections. In 2008, Beattie gave birth to the first of the couple’s three children. The child was conceived via artificial insemination using donor sperm and Beatie’s own eggs. The birth drew worldwide media attention.
Although the couple was married in Hawaii, they now live in Arizona. In 2012, Beatie filed for divorce in the hopes of marrying his new girlfriend. On March 29, 2013 a judge denied the divorce.
According to Maricopa County Family Court Judge Douglas Gerlach, Beatie could not prove that he was a man when he and Nancy wed in 2003. If Beatie and his wife were not a heterosexual couple when the marriage took place, then the judge felt that he could not grant a divorce, as same-sex marriages are not recognized as valid in Arizona. However, the judge did approve a property and custody settlement for the couple.
The Beaties will share joint physical and legal custody of the three children who are now 4, 3, and 2 years old. Thomas Beatie will pay nearly $240 a month to Nancy Beatie for child support. Nancy Beatie will not get alimony because the marriage was declared invalid.
This is not enough for Beatie. He says he will appeal the decision and continue to seek a full-fledged divorce.