But there’d be some Leftie-PC extremist giving out if this individual were referred to as a ‘woman’ !

The world is going mad and we’re all too afraid to criticise that madness for fear of being called ‘out-of-touch’ or ‘backward’ !

“Man” is not a biological term. Biologically there is only male and female.
It’s not about lefties or whatever it’s knowing the difference between sex and gender (which this article gets wrong)
This person is a man (gender) but evidently was not male (sex). So it is not a male giving birth

What? How do you know that?

Well I’m assuming that because he/she went and became pregnant he/she wasn’t happy with the decision they made! If he/she was really a man trapped in a woman’s body then they wouldn’t have the urge to get pregnant!

Too right!

I do hope this child is shieilded from some of the other comments, it’s so sad that their family is being so badly spoken of.

Agreed, the title of the story is completely misleading.

“gender reassignment surgery”
Do you mean a sex change operation?
That’s what it used to be called before the “correct” term was invented, disseminated and promoted as the only acceptable description of such a procedure.

Changing language does not change facts. In the above story, a woman gave birth to a baby.

Happens every day and it’s a miracle but hardly worthy of making the national news.

Thank you Kieran for demonstrating my point so adroitly.

Well, Graham, your point was that some of us bloggers on this article are claiming to be “uniquely qualified to pass judgement on them.”

I see no claim to such lofty superiority in these threads.

I suspect, Graham, that any position that does not tally with your own is one that you would consider inherently unworthy of consideration or respect.

Respect Kieran? You attacked my comment because I tried to be sensitive to transgendered people and you have the nerve to call me disrespectful? You seem to think gender is all about sex organs, and if that is true then surely all that we are amounts to no more than walking sacks of meat.

Respectfully, Graham, I was commenting on the story (since removed, it seems) whilst you were commenting on the commentators. I have strong opinions, and they differ from yours. Always, always it is the liberals such as you who attack conservatives such as me when we comment on a story. You have your right to opine without expecting to be insulted, I have my right to opine too.

Look up and down this page. All personal comments are made (or started) by pro-liberals, and are anti-conservative. All Conservative comments are attacking the article.

It is the nature of liberalism to tolerate all things except a differing opinion.

And conservatives Obviously hold the moral high ground because they always “tolerate” people with differing opinions. And sexualities. And know how to engage in debate and always expect their views to be challenged just like everyone else.

Respectfully Kieran, that’s the greatest load of cack-handed bulls*#t that I’ve ever read. If you carefully read the conservatives comments you will see that many of them are dismissive of transgendered people in general, even when taken in the context of the article, seek to demean individuals who do not identify by their sex organs. Some others simply comment on the concept of a transgendered man giving birth being “sick” which are boorish and infantile, and don’t really warrant much discussion, as they don’t really add anything to the discussion. Constantly and deliberately referring to the individual in the article as a woman creates an atmosphere where transgendered individuals might feel unwelcome to comment.

Finally it seems to be the province of conservatives to seek to enforce their view of the world on other people and their bodies, their relationships and their lives.

Thank you Graham for demonstrating my point do adroitly

That point might have been better made had it addressed anything at all that I had said. For example – if the conservative commentators havent made personal comments in this discussion – it’s because so many of them have been busy tarring the entire transgender community with broad brush strokes instead.

While everyone has a right to an opinion Kiernan, don’t assume that it means that each opinion is equally valid, reasoned or measured.

I don’t think the definition of afraid is what you don’t understand actually

I’m sorry my opinion doesn’t live up to your expectations!! It is also my opinion that any man who wants to give birth has serious issues, fathering a child (the traditional way) is what men were meant to do, it’s they way we were designed by whoever/whatever!

The difference is they are not men by name only, they are men by gender as well. It is impossible for the male species to give birth, and no matter how the female is made over and renamed, she is still female.

“the truth” has no idea about gender and sex, and their differences.

While “sex” refers to someone’s physical description, “gender” refers to their mental description. Some men consider themselves female, while some women consider themselves male. What’s so difficult to get? And what’s everyone’s problem with it? It doesn’t affect you, now does it?

Well said. But prepare for abuse from the PC brigade.

Aha? Because supporting someone’s right to change their gender is somehow being overly politically correct?
And you could try differentiating between mental and physical gender when referring to how he is still a “woman”. He’s a man, but has a female reproductive system.

Kieran
I have to laugh at your comment.
Has it finally come to the stage where the female species becomes obsolete?
Because there has been much discussion about men being superflous to requirement a while back.
It also reminds me of the two Ronnies. (the worm that turned).

The thing is Winstom. A man can’t become and woman and a woman can’t become a man. They can carve their bodies all the want, but it doesn’t change their sex.

Well for you Brian
If gender is just a state of mind, why not just be getting on with what you’ve been given?
Might I add that nature itself teaches us that a man in a dress is an abomination. That’s why we don’t see people walking down our main streets openly in drag – they would be too ashamed to be seen like that. At least outside of parades designed for that kind of thing.

Bet that’ll have our liberal fellow bloggers hopping, unfortunately, although that’s not my intention. Can’t think of an appropriate synonym for ‘abomination’

I would not want my little daughter on
her own using the same bathroom facilities as someone who is capable of having an erection – regardless of whether or not that someone has a dress and wig on. I never worry about her attending a ladies-only facility though. Female perverts are less common and less of a threat than males.

It is a recognised medical condition and someone is only classfied as transgendered following a process involving experts in the field. But don’t let facts get in the way of your ill-informed opinions.

Nature teaches us that a man in a dress is an abomination? Really because you don’t see a lot of girl hippos sporting miniskirts these days.

Interesting that you anticipated using the word abomination would cause a stir among us liberals. Have to say, I’m intrigued by your assertion that ‘nature teaches’…

Yeah? So? Your point being..?

So you’re saying that he should have had an abortion then?

“Think of how the child will be affected”. That’s what they said about a child out of wedlock 60 years ago, thats what they said about a child with a single parent 30 years ago. Thats what they said about a child with single gay parent 20 years. And that’s what they said about a child with two gay parents about 5 years ago. And time and time again its been proven that a child doesn’t need the conventional boxes ticked to be raised properly, it just needs consistent caring, attention is discipline and love. Grow up.

Graham I’m still not sure how this person got pregnant, I’m only assuming that is was through IVF but the mechanics of the whole thing are still a little confusing to me. However I would assume that abortions are only carried out due to an unplanned pregnancy which I don’t think happened in this case.

I’m saying that half man half woman who doesn’t know what he or she wants to be should never be allowed to have children And by the way I am anti-abortion

@Brian: According to the content of the article, it certainly appears to have been planned, but it does raise an intriguing moral dilemma for the objectors – particularly the religious conservatives.

@Sean: He shouldn’t have been allowed to have a child you say but how exactly would you propose to prevent that? Forced sterilisation? We dont even subject serial rapists to that.

Did I say anything about a public jacks? The one in arnotts will do for an example.
Abomination is a good, strong word and an accurate depiction of my point. Glad you are only ‘somewhat’ amused and not actually rolling around in your hilarity.
And what does ‘get a life’ mean? Are you a fan of the TV show ‘Friends? Is that where you got that quaint little putdown or did you think it up all by yourself? Won the school debating competition with that one, did you?

Kiernan, I found you mildly irritating to debate with before you attempted to insinuate a connection between transexuals and child molestation. Now I just find you embarassing and myopic.

I know you are!

A childish reply to a childish comment.

hmm..interesting comment mr. GOERING

You can’t spell.

The child will weep when he realises mammy is daddy.

If Jesus was alive today he would indeed weep, seeing the amount of hateful people around here…. And yes that’s a passive aggressive jab at you, Anthony and Joe.

I know! I’m extremely worried about the possibility it would ever meet someone like you! Thanks for being so very compassionate and understanding.

Poor, poor Paul…

How is it, exactly?

An apt self-reflective comment.

Only in the first trimester…

Is this a joke?