Ziya Paval and Zahad wanted to have a child, but their journey was different from most. They were both in the middle of their gender transition when they made the decision. Zahad, who was assigned female at birth but now identifies as male, paused hormone treatments to carry the baby. On February 8, he gave birth.
“It was a chance to be both a mother, in giving birth, and a father,” Zahad said.
The couple, who live in Kerala, India, say this may be the first time a transgender man in the country has publicly shared their experience as a biological parent. India has around two million transgender people, but many face challenges in education, healthcare, and daily life.
Ziya, who was assigned male at birth and now identifies as female, always wanted to be a parent. She comes from a strict Muslim family that did not allow her to pursue dance. “They even cut my hair so I wouldn’t dance,” she said. She eventually left home to follow her passion. Today, she teaches dance to students in Kozhikode.
Zahad, an accountant, comes from a Christian fishing family. He also left home after coming out as transgender. At first, his family did not accept his identity, but after he became pregnant, they started supporting him.
Ziya’s family, however, has not accepted her.
The couple decided to have a baby about a year and a half ago. Since Zahad still had his uterus and ovaries, doctors advised pausing hormone therapy. After the baby’s birth, Zahad plans to resume treatment.
Now, they are focused on raising their child and finding work to support their growing family. “Zahad will return to work in two months, and I will take care of the baby,” Ziya said.
The transgender community has shown them support, though some still hold traditional views. “People think a trans man can’t have a baby, but it doesn’t matter,” Ziya said.
For them, this journey is about love, identity, and breaking barriers.