Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in December 2021.
Respecting people’s preferred names and pronouns is crucial to honoring their identities. Yet, many continue to resist this practice, often due to outdated beliefs or outright dismissal of gender diversity.
Bennett Kaspar-Williams smiling with their husband Malik, Photo Credit: bennettonpurpose/Instagram
Nurses repeatedly misgendered him, referring to him as a mother instead of a father, according to the Daily Mail.
Kaspar-Williams began his change in 2014 after realizing he was transgender in 2011. While he had top surgery, he chose not to undergo lower body procedures.
The experience of pregnancy and childbirth was both rewarding and difficult for Kaspar-Williams. He was particularly disheartened by medical staff’s persistent misgendering, which ignored his gender identity.
Bennett Kaspar-Williams looking into the camera from a photo posted to their instagram, Photo Credit: bennettonpurpose/Instagram
Even though Kaspar-Williams clearly manifest his gender on medical forms, the nursing staff continued to misgender him during interactions.
This experience highlighted the ongoing struggle for recognition that childbirth and gender identity are not inherently linked.
Bennett Kaspar-Williams in the hospital holding their newborn baby, Photo Credit: bennettonpurpose/Instagram
By choosing to embark on his pregnancy journey after separating the concepts of bodily functions from gender identity, Kaspar-Williams’ story underscores the complexities of identity and the vital importance of respecting individuals’ self-identification.
Selfie of Bennett Kaspar-Williams with their husband Malik and child, Photo Credit: bennettonpurpose/Instagram
Kaspar-Williams’ experience is a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness and sensitivity in medical settings. As society evolves, so too must our understanding and respect for gender diversity.
By honoring people’s chosen pronouns and names, we take a significant step toward a more inclusive and respectful world.
This story is not just about one individual’s experience but about the broader implications for how we treat and respect each other’s identities in all walks of life.
Sources: Daily Mail