Cher's son Chaz Bono to formally change his name and gender

Musician, writer and activist Chastity Bono (Chaz Bono), son of pop icon of Armenian origin Cher and Sonny Bono, has formally filed a petition to LA judge to change his name and gender. This follows last year's gender reassignment surgery (female to male). Back then Cher issued a statement in support of Chaz: "Chaz is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support," she told 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."

Below is the latest report, via BBC.
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Cher's son Chaz Bono files sex change petition in LA

Cher's son Chaz Bono has asked a judge in Los Angeles to formally change his name and gender following the sex change surgery he had last year.

The 41-year-old, who was born Chastity Sun Bono, now wants to be known as Chaz Salvatore, according to a petition filed earlier this week.

He revealed last June he had undergone the surgery calling it "the best decision I've ever made".

At the time, Cher promised to support her child on his "difficult journey".

"Although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding," said the singer, who had Chastity with her first husband, the late Sonny Bono, in 1969.

A hearing has been scheduled for 6 May in Santa Monica, California.

Chaz Bono is a gay rights campaigner who appeared on the American version of Celebrity Fit Club in 2006.

The name Chastity came from the title of the 1969 film Cher made with her first husband Sonny, who died in a skiing accident in 1998.