Adrianne (49) and Michael Elson-Steven (42), who live in Belfast, are the first trans couple in UK history to give birth to twins after putting their gender reassignment treatments on hold to try for a baby. According to BelfastLive, Michael gave birth to twin girls, Christin and Mavis, on November 4, after trying to conceive for years. The pair, who got engaged in 2012 and had a church blessing in 2014, were left enough money in the will of a friend to pay for IVF treatment.
Adrianne said: “We’ve had lots of challenging times, we’ve been abused as trans people but we can face anything together. Ours is just a story of love. These two daughters have been born of sheer love. Having these tiny babies squeaking and sleeping, crying and flailing their arms around, it feels like a dream. Our lives have been turned upside down, our flat is filled with baby equipment, our routine is inside out and we don’t sleep – but we’re loving every moment of it. It’s real, messy, noisy and busy but it’s still the best thing in the world. We know what it’s like to have repeated negative pregnancy tests so we know how blessed we are.”
Michael, who works as a trans rights specialist, also discussed his experience with pregnancy: “Being pregnant was a lot to deal with in my head, but in my heart becoming a parent was my only priority and using my body as a vessel to create these amazing little miracles and bring them into the world was just a means to an end. I haven’t been able to chest feed which was upsetting but I’m back into my normal clothes and getting the hang of being a dad.”
Adrianne hopes their story will educate others about the trans community, saying: “I hope people remember this is a love story and if telling it enlightens one person who hates trans people, then I think we’ll have done our duty. We’re not militant trans people, we don’t fit that box, we’re just Adrianne and Michael, mum and dad to Christin and Mavis.”
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