Chastity Bono -- Becoming a Man

Chastity Bono -- Becoming a Man
Posted Jun 11th 2009 3:00PM by TMZ Staff



Chastity Bono, civil rights advocate, journalist, author and musician, is in the early stages of changing his gender -- transitioning from female to male, TMZ has learned.

Bono, the child of legendary entertainers Sonny and Cher, began the process earlier this year, shortly after his 40th birthday.

"Yes, it's true -- Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity," confirmed Bono's publicist, Howard Bragman.

"He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones. It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years ago.

We ask that the media respect Chaz's privacy during this long process as he will not be doing any interviews at this time."

http://www.tmz.com/2009/06/11/chastity-bono-becoming-a-man/

all the best. How difficult life must have been for him.

But I can't helping thinking of his rightwingnut father, who would have killed himself if he'd lived long enough for Chaz to have come out to him. This - a sex change - yep, Sonny would have killed himself twice.

I hope Cher's handling this better than she did her daughter's coming out to her. I hope they're all cool with this, which, I suspect, must be a really rough surgical road.

Good luck, Chaz. I watched you grow up and now, if all goes well, I get to see you live your life as you want to, as you should.

Good luck, kid......................