I don't know if you heard but, a year ago, Chastity Bono changed her gender from female to male. His name is now Chaz. Prior to his transition, Chastity told people she was a lesbian. Chaz is still involved with the same girlfriend he had when he was a woman.
Chaz made a documentary about his life called "Becoming Chaz" which will debut at the Sundance Film Festival this year. It's starting to attract much press coverage, primarily because of Cher's popularity and also because Oprah Winfrey produced the movie. It will certainly garner more attention as time goes on. The movie will also be shown on the new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
In the film, Cher is interviewed and explains she has never been enthused about her child's transsexualism. In earlier news-reports, Cher was vocally critical and unsupportive of Chaz. Now, since the transition, Cher says she'll accept her child in whatever gender Chaz chooses, but her discomfort and barely-concealed dissatisfaction over the issue is manifest. Cher's "acceptance" of Chaz is begrudged, at best.
Have you heard of this story? Have you heard of the film? Do you have any opinions on the subject? I'd be happy to address any questions you have in the comments section.
I think it's awesome that Chaz is finally who he really is. It's too bad that his mom is not supportive - I feel so bad for him. I will watch for the movie.
ReplyDeleteI also read about the Wachowski brothers (they of the "Matrix" fame). Larry Wachowski is now Lana...in some ways, it feels reassuring to me that this wasn't a big deal in Hollywood (it happened some time ago).
I hope some day the sex you are is just accepted, whether it matches your biological gender or not.
This film sounds very interesting. My brother in law did the same transition that Chaz did and we Love him dearly!
ReplyDeleteI think it is really brave of him. And it's great that he has such a suportive girlfriend.
ReplyDeleteInteresting film. I'm with Sheila! Bad for Cher... she's not a very accepting mother.
ReplyDeleteBrave, yes, in particular with the media attention he's bound to get - it's good he's taking charge by making a documentary. I was annoyed when I read that someone in the press made up the theory that Chaz had to become male because of his overbearingly famous mother, which is probably complete bogus, but it still makes me wonder about the factors that make a person transgendered. Purely genetics? Or do experiences play a role too? What's your opinion?
ReplyDeleteI used to be glued to the tv when the Sonny and Cher show came on and loved when they brought Chastity out. I knew about the change and her mom's feelings about it.
ReplyDeleteI just wish she wouldn't let herself go as man or woman, 300+ LBS is not a good look for anyone.
Brett
Thank you, Sheila.
ReplyDeleteBrett, I agree with you: being obese is terribly unhealthy.
Poet, there's a New York Times article linked above (to the word "coverage") and, in it, the author similarly speculates that Chaz "became" transgendered because of his mother, Cher. Later in the article, the author realizes that's absurd and recants.
People get easily confused about this subject but one thing I can tell you with certainty is that being transgendered is innate: you are that way at birth. Environment can affect how you develop as a person and whether or not you'll transition, but it won't make you transsexual.
I definitely need to see this film. I think it's important that more and more in being covered on topics like this.
ReplyDeleteI wish Cher would be more supportive. I have a childhood friend going through the same thing as Chaz, and without family support... it only makes it tougher.
Let me first start by saying that I do not have kids, so I don't feel like I can speak to Cher's actions. I'd hope that most parents just do the best that they can with the emotional "tools" that they have. As for Chaz, it has to be really difficult to feel like you are living in a body that does not "fit". I'm glad that he had the strenght to follow his heart. If only we where all that strong. I hope that the future holds peace and happiness for him!
ReplyDeleteNo parent wants this situation and few have the capacity to put their child's interest before social conformity and the parent's own personal notions of "normal." Thus, this is a hard situation for everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy parents, in the 1950's and 1960's, were immmigrants and felt an even greater need to conform to their new society (America). When their first-born boy -- for whom they had serious expectations -- exhibited repeated signs of this deviance, their reaction was to clamp down and suppress it, as often and as forcefully as they had to. It was rough for all of us.
well, i did hear sometime back that cher's daughter was lesbian..i think its hard on parents to accept this sort of thing and takes lot of courage and patience to do so, and if someone cant come to terms with it...the society should also make room for that!!!! and not criticize that person for not being broad/open minded!!!..i think with time acceptance will be more and more for all types of sexuality in our society!!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of his story and I think its very brave. I think he will be able to reach out to many people about the journey from transitioning from being a woman to a man. I think its beautiful. It takes a lot of guts to bare it all.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how I'd feel if one of my children changed gender. I would have a lot of mixed feelings I think. What I want for my children above all else is for them to be happy though. If changing gender made them happy I hope that I'd be supportive, and that any reservations I'd have would be about how they would be viewed by the rest of society. I'd still want to love them and be a mum to them.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on how you view your role as a parent. I think I'm here to give my children the skills to be strong and independent adults and I look forward to having them as friends when they are older. Some people though can't see beyond their children being an extension of them.
I shall definitely try and see the film.
You state the role of a parent beautifully, sebbie, and you state the failure of many equally as succinct.
ReplyDeleteI've been intrigued by Chastity for years. And am really glad that he's transitioned to Chaz and able to be his real self. I have the movie in my queue and am trying to figure out when I have the 2 hours to watch it. Most likely this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI too, really want him to lose some weight so that he can enjoy being who he truly is for a very long time to come.
xo,
Tracy
I had heard of Cher's daughter being a lesbian but that was about it- I did not know that she had a gender change and even less that she had made a movie out of it.... i think it should be an insightful watch.
ReplyDeleteI'm late on this... It's disappointing to hear that Cher isn't very supportive, especially given her connection to the gay community. I guess it's different when it's your own kid. I hope she comes around soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm equally disappointed to read comments about his weight here. Weight is not an indicator of health. I don't see how making statements like "I wish he would lose weight" are much different than saying something like "I wish he would stay a female". It's his body, and no one's business what he does to it.
I can understand why Cher as a mother isn't very supportive. It's easy to judge a parent in today's society but look at it from a perspective of someone who grew up in another decade when it wasn't acceptable. Added to that, regardless of the time that it happens in, it must be hard to see your little girl become a man or your little boy become a woman
ReplyDelete