10 minutes ago 2009-11-08T06:45:30-08:00
Chastity Bono, March 27, 2009 in West Hollywood, California FilmMagic / Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Chastity Bono, the child of Cher and Sonny Bono, has started the process of becoming a transgender individual.
A rep for the gay rights advocate and writer confirmed Chastity is undergoing the process to go from female-to-male.
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"Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity," rep Howard Bragman said in a statement.
According to TMZ, which first reported the story, Chaz is in the early stages of transition, which started shortly after the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) activist's 40th birthday.
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"He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones," Bragman's statement continued. "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."
The rep said Chastity, who came out at 18 as a lesbian, and now goes by Chaz, hopes to stay out of the media's glare during the transitioning process.
"We ask that the media respect Chaz's privacy during this long process as he will not be doing any interviews at this time."
Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) commended Chaz over his decision.
"Chaz Bono's decision to live his life authentically represents an important step forward, both for him personally and for all who are committed to advancing discussions about fairness and equality for transgender people," Giuliano said. "Coming out as transgender is an extremely personal decision and one that is never made lightly. We look forward to hearing Chaz's story in his own words in the future."
Chaz is one of many stars who have revealed they are transgender or are in the process of having gender reassignment surgery.
Katelynn Cusanelli shared her life experiences shortly after her final surgery to become a woman on MTV's "The Real World: Brooklyn," earlier this year. Additionally, last year on "Dirty Sexy Money," a short-lived drama on ABC, William Baldwin's character, Patrick Darling, was involved in an affair with a transgender male-to-female character, Carmelita Rainer, played by Candis Cayne, who herself is transgender.
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YardmasterI believe being Gay, Lesbian, and having a same sex mate is OK. And homosexuality is a personal CHOICE, and Transgenerisum is a personal CHOICE also. Why can't she just be who she is, and be with her mate. I have nothing against lesbian, or gay. It saddens me deeply when people use scienetific plastic surgeries to change who they really are. I think she looks great, and I'm sure hereport abuseposted June 16, 2009 5:49 PM PDT
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YardmasterI believe being Gay, Lesbian, and having a same sex mate is OK. And homosexuality is a personal CHOICE, and Transgenerisum is a personal CHOICE also. Why can't she just be who she is, and be with her mate. I have nothing against lesbian, or gay. It saddens me deeply when people use scienetific plastic surgeries to change who they really are. I think she looks great, and I'm sure hereport abuseposted June 16, 2009 5:45 PM PDT
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YardmasterIt's a shame she doesn't like, the person she sees in the mirror. I think she is very attractive ! I like the way I look, who I am, and my sexuality as I was born. I'm not perfect, but I am happy. People sure are confused, mentally deranged, mentally ill, and are showing this by making such bad choices...she's a woman...and always will be a woman...even if she trysreport abuseposted June 16, 2009 5:35 PM PDT
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YardmasterPeople who are spoiled rotten, are prone to want more and more, they are never satiisfied, they don't like themselves, and desperately seek to change themselves. Shaving their head, piercing their body, obsessive tatooing, cutting off private parts, sewing on private organs. Look at her mom, Cher, her cheek implants are showing badly. Look what happened to Michael Jackson. Mutilating theirreport abuseposted June 16, 2009 5:25 PM PDT
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Pamela Gjay: transgender isn't a choice?? u mean, she'll be dragged in2 surgery kicking & screaming & forcefully have a penis sewn on her??? gimme a break.report abuseposted June 15, 2009 6:30 AM PDT
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JayBeing transgendered is not a choice. You are born this way. The brain is that of a man/woman and the body says something different. Science and doctors have not found a way to change the brain so the only thing they can do is change the body. As far as therapy goes, there is years and years of that before there can be any surgeries. Closed minded people are the reason we have so many problems.report abuseposted June 14, 2009 2:39 AM PDT
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YardmasterShe can do what ever she wants with her own body...Chastity Bono is an extremely attractice woman...and being a lesbian is her own choice...seems she's going a bit too far to change gender into a man...she looks fine as is...why not be happy with the way you are...I think she is really pretty.report abuseposted June 13, 2009 8:16 PM PDT
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DevFacepalm. I can't believe you people. Do some reading on Transgenderism and mind your own business. "Judge not lest ye be Judeged". Dig it.report abuseposted June 13, 2009 1:05 AM PDT
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DevFacepalm. I can't believe you people. Do some reading on Transgenderism and mind your own business. "Judge not lest ye be Judeged". Dig it.report abuseposted June 13, 2009 1:05 AM PDT
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DevFacepalm. I can't believe you people. Do some reading on Transgenderism and mind your own business. "Judge not lest ye be Judeged". Dig it.report abuseposted June 13, 2009 1:05 AM PDT
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