Chastity Bono Becoming A Man
Howard Bragman who is Chastity (now Chaz) Bono's publicist told TMZ today that Chaz started the process of becoming a man earlier this year.
"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."
Well, no why would he do interviews now? That makes no monetary sense. My guess is though there are film crews with Chaz and they will attempt to sell it as a reality show and that I'm sure after the process is complete there will be a huge round of interviews and magazine covers as well which would make some money.
43 comments:
wow.
Wow.
Gonna have a Bar Mitzvah?
Never talked to a post-op transexual but always wondered how the girl to guy thing worked.
i couldn't get past the publicist's last name enough to read the post. teehee. that was awesome.
i'm not too familiar w/ sex-change ops, but why are they already referring to her as a "him" if it's not yet a done deal?
My best friend from middle school contacted me on Facebook and She had become a He.
I'm very familiar with this scenario as someone very close to me had a sex change operation.
They are referring to Chaz as him because that's what Chaz wants. He feels like a man and wants people to respect him as one.
You get used to the idea before the operation so that after it's over no one will call him a "she" or Chasity.
Now in regards to my personal experience although I went along with it out of respect I was never comfortable and didn't really believe I was talking to a male.
Chaz will get the respect of his loved ones but if people in his environment are uncomfortable they'll learn to hide it.
If chaz is in a serious relationship with a lesbian female, what happens with the relationship post-op? Had to ask.
I think she, um I mean he, just wants a cool name. I'd pick Chaz over Chastity anyday.
Seriously though, I wished them all the best of luck. I think it's a tough deal for anybody and being the daughter of famous parents is just going to make it tougher.
Natural Girl how did you feel about your friend changing genders?
I've seen some documentaries about this. It's very interesting what they have to go thru. Also I am sure very stressful.
What kind of publicist chooses TMZ to break this news to?
My hairdresser was a man when I first started seeing her, then did the whole change. It was a fascinating process and I got to know every detail. Good luck, Chaz!
While I'm sure there will be money made, I think the fact that she's been associated with GLAAD for so long indicates it isn't all just about the money. Plenty of other children of celebrities have been much worse famewhores than Chastity has been.
I used to know someone who had breast reduction surgery in her 20s, and apparently that's no picnic. Since Chastity went through that years ago, I can't imagine how difficult it must be to be facing that again in your 40s.
Good for him. I can't imagine living 40 years as the wrong gender.
I wish him all the best, and I HOPE they film a reality show or documentary about it. You don't hear a lot about transgendered people and I think that if this is an opportunity to educate people, why not?
thx, nomd...that makes complete sense. i feel enlightened now. ;)
you don't just start calling her 'he' after he gets a penis. it's a process and it starts with the decision to do it. from that time on, you start living as a man, therefore you are a 'he' and not a 'she.' yes, the physical component is huge but so is the psychological aspect.
i know chaz has had addiction issues in the past and i hope he finds peace with this decision. could not have been easy.
I'm with y'all--just Wow.
I thought this was a joke at first.
here's an idea. maybe it's NOT about money. maybe instead its about being honest and not having to hide who you are and who you are going to be under a cloak of shame.
good for him, i hope he is very happy.
Best of luck and happiness to Chaz :)
Yes. What Jax said.
Also, maybe the reason he's not granting interviews now is because he's already got enough going on with regards to the process? I can totally see the logic behind releasing a statement before things get too underway as a sign of respect for those in his life (like his mother) so that there won't be any crazy speculation when things get noticeably different. This way, everyone knows what's going on, and he can discuss it when things have calmed down a bit.
I'm torn on the idea of a reality show because on one hand, I'm a big advocate for trans rights, and think it would be wonderful if more people understood and respected it, but on the other hand, I'm not sure I'd trust a reality show to not be exploitative and sensationalistic.
In any case, best of luck to Chaz, and may he have much support.
congratulations?!!!be happy!
Oh, I remember as a little girl Chaz being brought out at the end of every Sonny & Cher show.
Good for Chaz!
robert - re: if Chaz is in a relationship, I'm sure it has been discussed between them. And it isn't clear if Chaz is going for full reassignment surgery.
You're welcome Pookie.
yeah, a lot don't go the whole nine yards. the hormones and the identity change are enough.
chaz has never been the famewhore cher is. he's been active in the gay/lesbian movement but i won't be surprised if this is a private thing and we never get to see 'becoming chaz.'
I came in here to say what Jax ended up saying. How about some respect? Immediately accusing of her/him of having some deal? RUDE
I am much less disturbed by the fact that Chastity or Chaz wants to be a man than I am by the fact that Cher appears to be wearing sweatpants. Cher---in sweatpants!
Mazel Tov, Chaz.
Let's just say I'm old enough to remember the 'Sonny and Cher'. Those two people appeared to adore Chstity, and I remember when they would bring this little toddler out on their show. I hope all goes well for her, soon to be him. Sometimes souls are more comfortable as a certain sexuality- I don't think that lasts too long before we're comfortable with whatever fate has in store for us. Although I'm perfectly comfortable being female, some part of me feels it is a grievous 'sin' to disrespect or harm those who are gay or transgendered. Yeah, I know that's a little weird, but to me, it is truth.
This is one of my favorite subjects! I am fascinated by those who undergo a sex change. As hard as I try, and I really really do, I can't help but see it as a mental illness. Mutilating your body just isn't healthy. (Please don't flame me!)
Does anyone remember an HBO documentary on transgenders about six years ago? Lolo Coca or something like that.
Good for Chaz. I wish him all the best.
I believe this was one of Enty's blind items from about a year ago.
It's over on Tyler Durden that Ted C revealed that a reality show is being shopped around town.
JJ, it's changing the outside to coincide with what's inside.
I went to sleep after work at 1pm, and woke up to this. Good for Chaz. May he find peace.
Cher freaked out when Chastity came out as a lesbian--ironic, considering her gay following--and there was a lot of difficulty between the two of them for years. I hope that this gives both of them another opportunity to heal and grow together as parent and offspring.
I know a couple of people who have undergone the surgery male into female. Both live/d on boats at the marina here in town. I honestly have never heard, nor thought of a female to male operation. wow.
I am really excited that this will lifestyle will be introduced into the homes of many people who have never heard of transgendered people or sex changes. I love when a face, especially a very famous face, is used for something good. I agree with Jax but if like Ted C says Chaz is shopping around a show then more power to him, earn money sure but the benefits of people seeing that you can be a normal healthy person and want to go through this because of what you feel on the inside is awesome. I am not trying to exploit Chaz but I am really glad for the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered community for having another issue brought positively into the limelight>hopefully she wont screw it up by being crazy ala Paula Abdul, if she does have a reality thing happen...
First time commenter here....
My child is a male to female transgender. Yes, you start using the "other" sex pronoun as soon as possible. F2M don't require nearly as much surgery as M2F, unless they want all the plumbing corrected.
I'm not surprised at Chaz's previous addiction problems. Many transgenders who deny their sexual identity have problems with addiction, alcohol and depression. Transitioning brings you peace, but the process is incredibly hard physically, emotionally and mentally. I wish Chaz all the best and pray he has a smooth transition.
I wish her nothing but blessings and peace. I have a dear friend who as a unhappy woman went through all sorts of pain, abuse, drugs, lawsuits, etc. He always said if he had stayed a a woman he would have died. He said he couldn't deny what he was. Now that my friend is a complete male, his life appears to be more settled.
I don't know if this is always true, but most of the places that do sex change operations require you to live as the new sex for 2 years before you can have the surgical procedure.
Yeah Mooshki, I actually think you also have to undergo psyh counslin to make sure you are ready mentally for the process and that you are sure about what you want and why you want it. Not every tom dick and harry or in this case harriet(not harriet hellfire!) can just have an opperation. Plus in many places there are homes you stay at that are filled with people midway through the change. Its a really good process and no one takes it lightly. Thats why there not done to millions of people, but more selectively.
I live close to San Fran and thats how they do it here i think...
Even this change will not take away whatever pain or problems Chaz may still be having.
There's no fix-it that will cure that, but if this is what Chaz really wants, then have it.
And by the way, Cher always called Chastity Chas and Chaz, so it's not such a big leap to change the name officially.
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