Ziya Paval and her partner Zahad, a couple from the southern Indian state of Kerala, have made history by becoming parents while in the midst of their gender transition journeys.
The couple’s decision to have a child has sparked widespread interest both in India and globally—highlighting a deeply personal and pioneering moment in a country where conversations around gender identity are still evolving.
Ziya, who was assigned male at birth and now identifies as a woman, shared that becoming a parent had always been a lifelong dream. Her partner, Zahad, was assigned female at birth and now identifies as a man.
The couple’s child was carried by Zahad, who paused his hormone therapy as part of the process. The two were supported by medical professionals and made the choice together after careful discussion.
“This was not something we rushed into,” Ziya explained in a social media post. “We thought about it for a long time. We wanted to do it on our own terms.”
