Trans man who gave birth to a boy now says he’s excluded and isolated by the LGBTQ community and asks ‘where do I fit in’
- Ja’Mel Ware, of Atlanta, gave birth to her child in May 2022 but says he struggled to settle in as a new father and feels lonely
- He shared his grievances at a workshop that was part of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s transgender justice initiative.
- Ware spoke to nonprofit news website The 19th with seven other black transgender men and asked “Where do I fit in?”
A transgender man who gave birth to a boy has claimed he was excluded and isolated by the LGBTQ community.
Ja’Mel Ware, from Atlanta, gave birth to her child in May 2022 but said he struggled to fit in as a new father and felt lonely.
He shared his grievances at a workshop that was part of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s transgender justice initiative.
Ware spoke to a nonprofit news website The 19 with seven other black transgender men and asked “Where do I fit in?”
The group pointed out that gay cisgender men were problematic and felt that the LGBTQ community often did not stand up for them, even though they were part of the queer identity.
A transgender man who gave birth to a boy said he was excluded and isolated by the LGBTQ community
Ja’Mel Ware, pictured with partner Alphonso Mills (right), gave birth to his child in May 2022 but says he struggled to settle in as a new father and feels lonely
Ware, who is from Atlanta, shared her grievances at a workshop that was part of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s transgender justice initiative.
“I’ve struggled for the last year and a half, almost two years now. It’s like, where do I fit in,’ Ware told the workshop.
“Because a lot of trans men don’t want to be open about their homosexuality,” he said. “I also have a child that I carried. … Every time I walk into a room, I feel lonely.
Another member of the group, Alex Santiago, claimed men didn’t call him “brother” after finding out he was transgender and said he felt more guarded in LGBTQ spaces.
“It’s a weird space to be in, but it happens more often than not,” he said.
CJ Moseley agreed with Santiago, and D’Jamel Young added that they were often seen as “too masculine to be queer”.
Ware shared her pregnancy journey on Instagram. He is seen smiling with partner Alphonso Mills as they show off his bump, celebrating with friends and family at their baby shower and then cuddling with their son.
He was featured in an AJ+ report last year and shared his experience as a pregnant man in Atlanta
Ware transitioned from female to male at 22 and struggled with his identity as he carried his son
Ware was featured in an AJ+ report last year and shared her experience as a pregnant man in Atlanta.
Ware transitioned from female to male at 22 and struggled with his identity as he carried his son.
“It made me question my identity. How does the world see me now? he told AJ+.
“How will they see me? Will they understand who I am? Pregnant women are celebrated. Trans people are not.
“And being a pregnant trans man just made me feel vulnerable in the world.”
He describes himself as an “actor, entrepreneur, speaker, advocate and educator” on his website.
Ware began traveling across the country at age seven, but was orphaned at age 15.
He said he centers on his belief in God and lives by the motto “Live Life Whole”. Be yourself and live life to the fullest for success.
