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Chaz Bono, 41, has been in the spotlight ever since he was a little girl named Chastity, the only child of Sonny Bono and Cher. Chaz Bono had gender reassignment surgery last September -- and now, he's completing the transition in court by filing papers in Los Angeles Superior Court requesting to change the name and gender on his birth certificate.
If approved,
As a lesbian, Chastity Bono was a prominent gay rights activist in the '90s. These days, Chaz says he's always felt more like a man than a woman, and one year ago, he quietly began the physical process of female-to-male gender transition (psychiatric evaluation, hormone therapy and surgery). Bono recently told CNN's Anderson Cooper about the "profound" experience of "looking in the mirror... and seeing a body reflected back at me that matches how I've always felt inside." He also discussed the "puberty"-like experience of having his voice change, how often he shaves his face, and the type of surgery he opted for (chest reconstruction).
The former Celebrity Fit Club contestant says he has the full support of his family, including 63-year-old mom Cher and girlfriend Jennifer Ella. He plans to continue advocating for LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) rights -- just more emphasis on the "T."
Plus: Ricky Martin: 'I'm Proud to Be Gay'
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