Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Transgender couple make history with birth of their first child

The pair are the first transgender couple to fall pregnant in South America

Saturday 24 September 2016 09:54 BST
Comments
Fernando Machado
Fernando Machado (Facebook)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A transgender man has given birth after conceiving with his transgender wife. The couple have made history as the first transgender couple in South America to do so.

Fernando Machado, who was assigned female at birth and his partner Diane Rodriguez, who was assigned male at birth, welcomed their first child.

The couple who live in Ecuador have expressed their desire to have more children.

“We are the same as other families. Even though we might not have the same rights, we are the same,” Mr Machado told the BBC.

Ms Rodriguez said she never thought she would have the opportunity to be a mother.

“Being a mother was never something I thought I would do because I am a transsexual,” she said.

The couple have not undergone full gender reassignment and were therefore able to conceive naturally.

'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,” Mr Machado said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in