NPR

Labeled 'Mother' When Not A Mother At All: On Being A Non-Binary Gestational Parent

In his debut The Natural Mother of the Child, Krys Malcolm Belc credits the pregnancy and birth of his son with helping him decide to transition.
<em>The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenthood,</em> by Krys Malcolm Belc

The language we use to talk about the act of giving birth to a child is highly gendered. We speak of pregnant women, we speak of mothers, we speak of motherhood.

In the crowded genre of memoir about mothering, Krys Malcolm Belc's debut, , asks: What do we do with someone who is parenting the child they gave birth to, but is not a mother at all? Where do transgender and non-binary parents fit, especially in a

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min read
The Original 'Harry Potter' Book Cover Art Is Expected To Break Records At Auction
Sotheby's June 26 auction of Thomas Taylor's watercolor illustration for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is estimated to sell for $400,000-$600,000.
NPR3 min read
Houston Area Braces For Flooding To Worsen Following Storms
A flood watch remained in effect through Sunday afternoon as forecasters predicted additional rainfall Saturday night, bringing another 1 to 3 inches of water to the soaked region.
NPR4 min read
'Hacks' Season 3 Is Proof That Compelling Storylines And Character Growth Take Time
Ava (Hannah Einbinder) and Deborah (Jean Smart) have both grown a lot since we first met them in Season 1. It's a reminder that shows need breathing room to achieve satisfying development.

Related Books & Audiobooks