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Daddy dearest
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If gay men could get pregnant, would they?
by Genevieve Paiement
When the Mirror heard that modern science was getting close to being able to create a baby without any sperm or eggs, using cloning technology and what-have-you, we thought, "What's next? Men having babies?" Besides Hollywood's comedic lip service to this serious subject (witness '94's Junior with Arnold Schwarzenegger as a preggers scientist or Joan Rivers' late '70s Rabbit Test, in which Billy Crystal is knocked up), the issue has largely been left unexplored. Many questions remain unanswered. If, with the injection of the right hormones and some kind of imitation uterus implant did the trick, would men actually flock to experience the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth? Would such technology make it easier for gay men to have families without the prejudices of adoption agencies and archaic laws? With the Mirror's ongoing investment in serious scientific journalism, we decided to hit the Village and ask the gay man in the street whether he'd consider putting a bun in his oven and whether it would change anything.
Denis, acupuncturist from Thetford Mines
I think it's wrong. I'm not meant to be pregnant. Also, if I can't adopt a child, how can I get pregnant? It's difficult enough to adopt children as gay men, society is not comfortable seeing a gay couple walk down the street with their child, I don't think it will help if it's a man who gave birth to the child. For me, the solution is adoption. Women are meant to be pregnant, not men. I think it's an example of society wanting to believe in any fucking medical miracle, like I could change into an elephant, like saying anything is possible. It's like, hello? I don't want to be heterosexual. I'm gay, I'm not meant to be pregnant and that's what nature is.
Réjean, owner of the Presse Café on Ste-Catherine, corner Beaudry
Sure, why not? I would definitely be okay with my partner having a baby--but I wouldn't do it myself. I lived with a man who had two children for seven years. It was a very beautiful experience. It wasn't just partying and raves, there were nights where we stayed home and made little drawings with the kids. It's very difficult for gay men to adopt children. It just doesn't happen. You can't go to an agency and say, "We're a gay couple and we want to adopt." Right away there are political and social barriers to surmount. If men could get pregnant, I think it might make it easier for gay men to be parents. A lot of gay couples want to have children, but because of all these social constraints, they can't. This could be a solution.
Michel from Montreal
It might interest me, but I'm skeptical about it. We don't have the body for it. I would probably wait and see if it works. It will change society's values, though, that's for sure, but probably not in the beginning because it takes time for these values to change. Also, how will society perceive these children who came from their father? There may be a stigma attached to that too.
Wilfred from Germany
It's easier to get a baby than to take care of it and make sure it has a good education--we should look at that aspect first, before the scientific side.
Martin, owner of Boutique Male Montreal on Ste-Catherine
I don't think it's that great of an idea. Personally, it doesn't interest me at all to have a baby, I think it's definitely just for women. Sometimes science goes too far. I don't think it would change what it means to be a gay father. I know gay couples and straight couples who, after seven or eight years, they want to have a baby and it's a thing of passion, but if they have the child and then the passion runs out, it's complicated. I don't think we need to be pregnant, I don't think it would change much--adoption is enough.
Mario from Montreal
Yes, I'd be interested in being pregnant, so I could stay at home and relax for nine months. I've always liked children and this way he'd really be mine. There are certainly gay couples who would like to have children and I think it would be easier because it would really be theirs. If you adopt a child you love them just as much, but still it's different if it was inside you.
Vianney from Montreal
I already have two children and no, I would not like to be pregnant, thank you.
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