Chastity Bono to Come Out as Transgender

categories: LGBT Celebrities, Transgender Issues

Published June 11, 2009 @ 02:34PM PT

Longtime LGBT activist (and child of Sonny and Cher), Chastity Bono, has announced that he is in the early stages of changing his gender, transitioning from female (Chastity) to male (Chaz). In the realm of celebrity news, this is not only pretty cool, but pretty historic. Here's Chaz Bono's publicity person on the announcement:

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 had previously been an entertainment media director at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). For its part, GLAAD offered very encouraging words for Bono. Per their Executive Director, Neil Giuliano:

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.

Though Bono, for his part, is looking to stay out of the media limelight while his gender reassignment occurs, here's hoping that in due time, Bono's decision will help further understanding of transgender issues.

[Editorial Note: You'll notice that in this post, Bono is referred to as "he" throughout, even though the gender reassignment process has not yet been completed. This is done, in part, because of a styleguide put forth by GLAAD, which strongly encourages reporters and bloggers to use the name and pronoun preferred by the transgender person — in this case, referring to him as Chaz and using male pronouns.]

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Comments (8)

Another reason for using male pronouns: there is a better than even chance that Chaz will never be "completed" in terms of sex reassignment. Most transmales in the US choose not to have lower surgery, partially due to the extreme costs.

Posted by Tobias Fangor on 06/11/2009 @ 04:17PM PT
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Not only the extreme costs, but the medical procedure is not very adequate for FTM. HOWEVER I would like to make a point -whatever medical point he goes to in his transition, wherever he feels happy, THEN he is complete. The best reason for using male pronouns is that now publically he identifies that way and asks for them to be used.

Posted by mana rapinan on 06/11/2009 @ 05:11PM PT
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It's good, according to Chastity Bono's beliefs to change her gender, that she'll go through gender reassignment surgeries. In addition, it's also good that she worked for GLAAD, a very good organization for LGBT rights.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 06/11/2009 @ 05:55PM PT
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Did you read the post? The appropriate pronouns to use in this case are he/him/his. Anything else is blatantly ignoring Chaz's identity.

Posted by Tobias Fangor on 06/15/2009 @ 10:33AM PT
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Hats off to Chaz! I wish him all the best.

Posted by Clay Adams on 06/11/2009 @ 08:20PM PT
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Don't let this be Suu Kyi's last stand. Please call on Myanmar's leaders to free Aung San Suu Kyi and all other prisoners of conscience.

Posted by Tofail Ahamed on 06/11/2009 @ 08:29PM PT
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That takes guts. Well-done.

Posted by Luella - on 06/12/2009 @ 07:00AM PT
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Re: the first two comments

Regardless of what level of surgery or hormone treatment he chooses to take part in, he is a male because he says he is.

As far as I'm concerned, a transgendered person could get exactly zero surgeries and take not a single hormone- it doesn't matter. They are the gender they say they are, and we all have the obligation to call them that gender the day that they say they would like us to.

Edwin- I find it disrespectful that you said "she" every time despite the note in the post AND the conversatio that took place right above you.

Posted by Michael A. Weber on 06/12/2009 @ 07:04AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.