Chastity Bono, who most Americans remember as the little girl who said goodnight at the end of The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, is becoming a man.

The gay rights activist and writer began the female-to-male transtitioning process earlier this year, according to The New York Daily News.

Bono's publicist says Chastity has changed his name to Chaz:

"Yes, it's true -- Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor 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."

Bono works for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and is a writer-at-large for the nation's oldest gay magazine, The Advocate. He worked for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to lobby Congress against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the 1990's.

Bono wrote two books, Family Outing and The End of Innocence. He appeared on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club 3 and the Logo channel's Big Gay Sketch Show with Rosie O'Donnell.

Bono apparently made the decision to transition shortly after his 40th birthday this year. His mother, Cher, has not made any public comments about Chaz's decision.

http://www.examiner.com/e...-to-a-male

Chastity Bono, daughter of Cher and the late Sonny Bono, is undergoing gender reassignment surgery, Usmagazine.com has learned.

Chastity, who is transitioning from female to male, began the process earlier this year after turning 40.

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

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

"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," Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), tells Usmagazine.com in a statement. "Coming out as transgender is an extremely personal decision and one that is never made lightly."

TMZ.com first reported the news Thursday.
In 1998, Chastity Bono wrote about her sexuality, revealing that she "came out" at 18.

Cher said she "flipped out" when she heard the news, even banishing Chastity from her NYC apartment.
"I'd always had this idea that she would get married and have a family," Cher said at the time.

The two have since reconciled and Chastity went on to become an American LGBT rights advocate, writer.

Chastity appeared on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club 3 in 2003.

http://www.usmagazine.com...ry-2009116

W

O

W

I hope her mom accepts her and that he finds the peace he's looking for.

Wow, good for her, I mean him. The really troubling thing to me is that he chose the name "Chaz"

SCNDLS said:

Chaz can be short for Charles

SCNDLS said:

Yeah, that's the worst part about it How about Cherles

This world is getting sicker and sicker!!!! Why cant people be content with who and what they are since birth????

ehuffnsd said:

Still horrifying

Desire2006 said:

I hope you have never cut your hair and don't wear makeup and never grew older than a fetus assuming you're a chick

Wow. Pretty big news. I think I recall Chaz's coming out years ago being a bit bumpy where family was regarded. I hope things work out well.

Desire2006 said:

YEAH! Why don't we all wear diapers and SHIT on ourselves like we were meant to!!! And what is with this talking and learning SPEECH? Be content with drooling and babbling or go to HELL!!!

Desire2006 said:

be thankful you have never had to experience this in your life.

Lammastide said:

that's why I mentioned Cher (with a hard CHuh)

Desire2006 said:

That’s exactly what he’s attempting to do.

PunkMistress said:

great minds

ALL OF YOU KEEP IT CIVIL OR I'LL REQUEST THIS GET LOCKED

ehuffnsd said:

calm down!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I do go 2 a hair stylist and I do wear make-up and I am growing older everyday, but AT LEAST I HAVE STAYED A FEMALE ALL MY LIFE AND WILL CONTINUE 2 DO SO BECAUSE THATS WHAT GOD INTENDED ME 2 B!!!!!
[Edited 6/11/09 14:08pm]

Desire2006 said:

Perhaps that's exactly the case here.

Desire2006 said:

but you change your appearance from what it really is. This is no different. You feel god should have made you with a Mary Kay factory on your face, he feels he needs to correct the factory

.
[Edited 6/11/09 14:09pm]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

For real, it sounds like the name of a wiseguy or some shit.

ehuffnsd said:

SCNDLS said:

PunkMistress said:

That's my mofo right there. Loved him in A Bronx Tale.

ehuffnsd said:

Yes, Sister!

SCNDLS said:

Yep. Some greaser.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

CHANGING MY HAIRSTYLE AND WEARING MAKE-UP IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN CHANGING MY GENDER AND ALTERING MY GENITALS, MY HORMONES AND ESTROGEN AND TESTOSTERONE!!!!!

Lammastide said:

Definitely NOT a name good enough for Cher's son.
[Edited 6/11/09 14:13pm]

Desire2006 said:

It's not the way you were born