Chastity Bono transitioning to become male

June 11, 4:44 PMInternational LGBT Issues ExaminerKelvin Lynch

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                   Chastity "Chaz" Bono

 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.

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