Musician, writer and activist Chastity Bono, daughter of pop icon of Armenian origin Cher and Sonny Bono, has come out as transgender person, announcing (via publicist) plans to transition from female to male. This is effectively Chastity's second coming out after announcing in mid-90s that she is lesbian. Publicist Bragman tells TMZ that "Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honour his true identity." Full story below, via Yahoo News.Cher's daughter Chastity Bono is undergoing surgery to become a man
*via Yahoo News
The writer, actress and musician - who confirmed she was gay in a magazine interview in 1995 - has been considering having the gender reassignment operation for a while, according to Bono's publicist Howard Bragman.
He reveals the gay rights activist's decision has been welcomed by her family and friends, and Bono - now known as Chaz - began the lengthy process to change genders after celebrating her 40th birthday in March.
Friends, including Bragman, have already started referring to her as a 'he'.
Bragman tells TMZ, "Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honour his true identity.
"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."
Meanwhile, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has come out to salute Bono.
President Neil Giuliano says, "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.
"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."
*photo - via Queerty
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Cher will support Chaz's sex change
People
Now that Chaz Bono (formerly known as Chastity) has gone public with his sex change, his mother, Cher, is opening up about how she feels about the news.
"Chaz is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support," she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement. "I respect the courage it takes to go through this transition in the glare of public scrutiny and although I may not understand I will strive to be understanding. The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child."
The singer, 63, has struggled with Chaz's choices before: In his book Family Outing, Chaz says Cher kicked him out upon learning he was gay; they quickly reconciled. Recently, the pair celebrated Chaz's 40th birthday in Vegas.
Meanwhile Chaz's stepmother (Sonny Bono's widow), congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, 47, is also supportive, telling PEOPLE, "Chaz has always been a loving and important part of our family who has supported us all through thick and thin. This is a very difficult decision that Chaz has fully vetted, and over the past decade, has discussed the matter thoroughly and consulted therapists and medical experts. As he moves forward, I will be there to support him and love him every step of the way."
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Cher 'supportive' of Chaz Bono's sex change
PinkNews
[...] The 40-year-old is Cher's only child with late husband Sonny Bono. He is a gay rights activist but also works as a musician, writer and actor. He wrote about his experience of coming out to his mother in the memoir Family Outing.
Cher later admitted she "went ballistic" when Chaz came out as a lesbian, but has since become an active gay rights supporter.
Chaz is believed to have started hormone therapy but it is not yet known whether he will be having gender reassignment surgery.
Chaz Bono makes first public appearance with girlfriend Jennifer Elia
Cher's son Chaz Bono to formally change his name and gender
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