A transgender man who recently gave birth says nurses repeatedly called him “mother” during and after delivery — now he’s speaking out about the trauma and demanding change.
When Bennett Kaspar‑Williams welcomed his child into the world, he expected joy and pride — but instead he faced humiliation and hurt. He is a transgender man. He carried his baby to term. But during the delivery and in the hospital afterward, he says healthcare staff repeatedly misgendered him, calling him “mother” and treating him as if he were a woman.
The Incident
Bennett gave birth in Los Angeles in October 2020. Despite his clear identity as a man, hospital staff persistently used feminine terms and referred to him in ways that didn’t align with who he is. He says he felt invisible, unseen, and invalidated in one of the most vulnerable moments of his life.
Why It Matters
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Being misgendered in a medical setting isn’t just a slip-up — it can deepen trauma, especially during childbirth.
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Bennett’s experience highlights how healthcare systems often focus on “woman gives birth” and fail to adjust for transgender and non-binary folks.
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The lack of affirming care can create long lasting emotional damage and distrust of medical care.
What He’s Saying Now
Bennett is speaking out — demanding that hospitals train staff better on pronouns, gender identity, and inclusive language. He wants acknowledgement that trans men can give birth, and that they deserve to be addressed and respected as fathers if they so identify.
Broader Context
Research shows that many trans men and trans masculine people who experience pregnancy face misgendering, awkward and non-inclusive language, and assumptions based on gender stereotypes — all of which can harm their care and wellbeing.
The Impact
For Bennett, this was more than words. He felt disrespected. The people who were meant to care for him in one of life’s most intimate moments did not affirm his identity. That pain may echo for years. But by speaking publicly, he is also helping open the door for change.
🟫 Takeaway
Everyone who enters a hospital deserves respect — for their body, their identity, and their story. When that respect is missing, care becomes a wound instead of a healing.