Fernando, who was born a woman, gave birth to a child with Diane, who was born a man. This news is special, heartwarming and different for reasons more than one.
Fernando Machado was born as Maria in Venezuela. He met Diane Rodriguez, born as Luis, through Facebook. The transgender couple created history by becoming the first transgender couple to give birth to a child in South America.
“We don’t have a name yet, or rather we do, we are just waiting to announce it,” Diane tells told BBC while talking about the birth of their child.
Both Fernando and Diane have not undergone a gender reassignment surgery, which made it possible for them to conceive without external medical intervention.
Talking about their “whirlwind romance”, Fernando told BBC about their journey together.
“I was on a bus to Ecuador days after we started chatting online,” Fernando smiles. “After three weeks living together, I was pregnant,” he said.
Both Fernando and Diane, who is also an activist, feel happy about the fact that they have brought the discussion around gender fluidity to the public domain in Ecuador. During Fernando’s pregnancy, the couple posted photos and videos on social media, which were widely shared.
Coming out of the closet has not been a problem, Diane said, but it has been a painful journey.
Talking to Dailymail, she said:
“We live as man and woman. I’m a transfeminine woman and Fernando is a transmasculine man. The process to get here was complex for each of us.”
Talking about the time, he found out about the pregnancy, Fernando said:
“I started crying with happiness, fear and dread, all at once. It was the most beautiful moment,” he said. “I had never felt like that before. Wow, at last, I am completely happy.”
Source: BBC
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)