Chaz Bono, formerly Chastity Bono, the daughter of Sonny and Cher is a transgender man. Bono came out to both parents as lesbian at age 18. In Family Outing, Bono wrote that, "as a child, I always felt there was something different about me. I'd look at other girls my age and feel perplexed by their obvious interest in the latest fashion, which boy in class was the cutest, and who looked the most like cover girl Christie Brinkley. When I was 13, I finally found a name for exactly how I was different. I realized I was gay."In mid-2008, Bono began undergoing a physical and social gender transition from female to male. This was confirmed in June 2009 by his publicist, who identified Bono's preferred name as Chaz Bono and said, "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." GLAAD and the Empowering Spirits Foundation were quick to offer praise and support for the announcement. Bono's legal transition was completed on May 7, 2010, when a California court granted his request for a gender and name change. He chose the name "Chaz Salvatore Bono" in honor of his parents. Bono made Becoming Chaz, a documentary film about his gender transition that premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network acquired the rights to the documentary and debuted it on May 10, 2011.
More recently, in September 2011, Bono became a competitor on the 13th season of the US version of Dancing with the Stars with partner Lacey Schwimmer. Chaz was eliminated October 25th.
Recently, Chaz appeared on Howard Stern's Sirius/XM radio show. It was his first major interview since his exit from "Dancing with the Stars." He discussed many topics, including his relationship with his famous parents, his girlfriend, and his new documentary "Being Chaz."
But, obviously, despite the additional procedures needed by Chaz to make male genitalia, his testosterone supplements have truly made him a man. He discusses how his personality has changed..how he finds women "yappy" and has told his girlfriend "don't you every shut-up?" His ability to tolerate the emotional roller-coaster of the opposite sex has been tested.He does say that he feels that masturbating to women is insulting (you need more testosterone Chaz!) However, from trying to deal with conversations with his girlfriend to farting- Chaz has joined the ranks of being a man.
At some point, he may find out that becoming a man is the easy part..it's dealing with women that may be more challenging.
