Detransition, Baby

The next week, Reese goes with Katrina to a “doTerra party” organized by one of Katrina’s friends, at which a representative of the company doTerra sells essential oils (284). The event is the first time Reese meets Katrina’s friends, who are unaware of Katrina’s pregnancy or her plans to co-parent with Reese. At first, Reese feels alienated and uncomfortable at the party, not being used to hanging out around straight professional couples. At one point during the party, the attendees are instructed to list their medical ailments, and Katrina announces to the party that she is pregnant. When the women ask Katrina who the father is, Katrina turns to Reese, who hastily comes out and explains that she is trans and will be Katrina’s co-parent but is not “the actual father” (291).

After the party, Reese and Katrina celebrate the pregnancy with several of Katrina’s close friends at a café. The women, who at first are bewildered, ask Katrina to explain her co-parenting situation. Katrina explains that she is excited “not to do the heteronormative thing” and to raise a child in a queer, unconventional way (293). Reese realizes that she is witnessing Katrina “coming out as queer to her friends” (293).