Respecting a person’s name and pronouns is widely recognized as a basic expression of dignity, yet real-world experiences show that this respect is not always upheld—particularly in sensitive environments such as healthcare. One such case involves Bennett Kaspar-Williams, whose experience during the birth of his child highlighted ongoing challenges faced by transgender and non-binary individuals.
Kaspar-Williams, 37, and his husband, Malik, welcomed their son Hudson in October 2020 via cesarean section. At the time, Kaspar-Williams identified as male and used he/him pronouns. Today, he identifies as non-binary and uses both he/him and they/them pronouns. Despite clearly documenting his gender identity in medical records, he encountered repeated misgendering from hospital staff during labor and delivery.
Despite ensuring that medical forms accurately reflected his gender, interactions with staff continued to disregard that information. For Kaspar-Williams, this disconnect illustrated a broader issue: the persistent belief that pregnancy and parenthood are inherently tied to womanhood.
As his experience became public, it sparked wider discussion about inclusivity in healthcare and the importance of honoring individuals’ identities, especially during critical life events. That conversation only deepened as Kaspar-Williams articulated the broader implications of what he endured.