Absolutely every website has been vying for the first pictures of Chaz (formerly Chastity) Bono since he revealed his decision to transition from a woman to a man last week. TMZ finally chased him down with an absolutely exhilarating 30 second clip in which he exits a car. That’s about it. They’ve been unnecessarily catty in their reporting on the story – even for TMZ. Radar noted that Chaz has been taking hormones for about two months now but still looks about the same.
Chastity Bono, now known as Chaz, has begun hormone treatments as the first step in her [sic] preparation to have sex-change surgery and now RadarOnline.com has obtained the first photo of Chaz since the transformation began.
Chaz began taking the hormones within the past two months, a source tells RadarOnline.com. The exclusive photo taken June 10 shows Chaz’s looks have not changed much. She is still battling her weight, which could be an issue before surgery.
Friends have told RadarOnline.com that Chaz has wanted the surgery for a long time, but telling her famous mother Cher was something that scared her.
Cher has not made any public comment since Chaz’s announcement.
[From Radar]
His voice sounds about the same to me in TMZ’s video. I’m not sure how long it takes for the hormones to change some of the more obviously female characteristics – it probably varies from person to person. Several people pointed out in our first article that the surgical aspect of female-to-male transitioning tends to involve removing the breasts but few changes to the vagina because it still isn’t really possible to create much in terms of a penis. Some things can be done, but it’s much easier to do a male-to-female transition of the genitals than the other way around.
Obviously Chaz isn’t checking in with TMZ and Radar to keep them appraised of his every decision and step along the way. And that must really grate on their nerves. Can you imagine where Radar would be without 24/7 Octo-access? The only place they have yet to film her is in bed, and I’m sure that’s coming. TMZ doesn’t seem to make deals like Radar does, they just prefer to follow people around parking lots. I hope they give Chaz and his girlfriend some space. There’s a lot of public interest in this story because it’s an unusual situation, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be respectful.
Here’s Chaz Bono’s girlfriend Jennifer Elia, “barefoot and anxiously talking on the phone as Chastity waits for her in the car” on June 13th. Images thanks to Fame Pictures . Chaz and Jennifer are shown at Elton John’s 62nd birthday at Hamburger Hamlet in L.A. on March 27th. Images thanks to Pacific Coast News.
Chaz does not seem upset by the photos. A book or reality show will help both Chaz and others. Time to put another issue in perspective.
Steroid use for female-to-male conversion can cause some dangerous side-effects, specifically liver damage and cardiovascular disease. She/he should really get on a strict diet and exercise plan to counteract these side-effects.
Why is someone’s VERY private decision to change gender the subject of media curiosity? Why would anyone even care? Why does the media feel the need to crawl between the sheets with every celebrity or in the case of Chaz, because she is RELATED to a celebrity? Seems really really creepy and voyeuristic to me and no one’s business.
QUIT TREATING HER LIKE A CIRCUS FREAK!
Let her be. Her choice. She’s a grown woman, it’s not like she’s a 16-year-old making a spur-of-the-moment decision. Her life. Let her do her thaaaang.
uh, perhaps you shouldn’t give tmz the boost.
assholes. but you had to know those scumbags would hound him.
I wish him the best. I hope this doesn’t turn into a circus for Chaz and his partner. They have managed to stay out of the media glare until now.
Have to disagree with Anoneemous at 4:26pm. “Chaz” is a minor enough celebrity that s/he could probably have finished or at least gotten part way through the surgery before the media caught on. That, plus the fact s/he’s a GLAAD spokesperson makes me think s/he’s courting the publicity.
I’m curious about his partner. If you were a lesbian, wouldn’t you be upset if your partner became a man?
No offense intended commenters, but if you’re advocating Chaz’s privacy and decision, it’d probably be good to use male pronouns. He’s probably been male inside for a long time now.
I hope that whatever happens Bono can find inner happiness.
Legend, transitioning gender does not mean genital surgery, in most cases actually.
If Bono didn’t want attention for this, he should have lived his life the way he wanted and not brought attn to it. I’m pretty sure he did it raise awareness, and that’s fine.
Chastity has always been open with us.
I’m sure Chas will give us an interview when he’s ready to talk to us. (fingers x’d for Anderson Cooper not BW)
It says alot that he’s issued a statement. He doesn’t hide from who he is.
Even those who don’t understand/don’t agree with/insert “excuse” here must understand that it’s very difficult to not feel complete or correct or whole as who you are. He’s not hiding from you, he’s not in your face. Take a deep breathe and give tolerance a go.
I agree with Cici. I think the Pregnant “man”, Chaz Bono, J&K plus 8 and Octo -Moms of the world do these things for the publicity and noteriety, otherwise they wouldn’t be making private issues known to public by giving press released statements and what not.
To raise awareness on isuues is great, but I also think they want the publicity and money from it as well. Chaz will be paid money for her interviews and she canuse it to help pay for the surgeries and procedures she’ll have to endure.
Anything is for sell these days, even private matters it seems.
*sigh*
i will probably get bashed for this, and it is not meant as a comment on sex-changes (which i support) but i’m wondering why is it that when women become men they almost always become fat, ugly men? chastity was a cute girl, she could have become a cute man. having said that i wish him the best, he seems like a nice person.
Wow and CiCi,
Have you known someone who has transitioned? Doesn’t sound like it.
To dump Chaz in with these attention whores is pretty harsh. He’s been an outspoken advocate for gay rights for a very long time; well before it was fashionable. This is an extremely difficult, personal decision. In the same way that his coming out affected many people, I am more than certain that his transition will do the same.
As for the cost — he’s been a professional, and BTW, Cher is his mom. Chaz doesn’t need the publicity or cash. Most transgenders who come out publicly are doing it to help others in their position.
It must be extremely painful to feel that you were born in the wrong body.
And wait a minute
Right on Chaz! The best of everything to you and much happiness. God Bless….
Just a wee quick explanation for those commenters who are not interested enough to look it up for themselves:
Do you know what proprioception is? It’s a map your brain keeps of your body; it’s how you know what shape you are and it stops you banging into things.
Sometimes, as with all senses, it goes wrong. Phantom limb syndrome is caused by this, and is horrifying for the patient. Some people lose the ability to move entirely because their proprioception stops working. See the work of Oliver Sachs for more details.
Now imagine if your mental map was telling you you were a man, but your body was female? How would you feel? Your brain would be sending you red flags the whole time. You’d feel like a stranger in your own skin.
Yes, for some people this can be a psychological condition, which is why transsexuals have to undergo years of therapy and live as their target gender before they can even start hormones. But the key point to make is that this a medical condition in the vast majority of cases.
Please, rather than judging trans people as freaks, just look it up. There is a lot of research on this and you have no excuse for being prejudiced and ignorant when you can just click Google and educate yourselves.
“I hope they give Chaz and his girlfriend some space.”
THAT will never happen in a million years.
I read that his girlfriend is supporting his decision. I’m happy for them, and wish them the best.
What’s sad about this is that they couldn’t marry when he was a woman, but what’s happy is that they’ll be able to marry when he’s legally recognized as a man.
By the looks of her the press won’t have Chaz to kick around much longer. He is a very good candidate for Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. I wonder if the doctors will insist he lose weight before they perform the final surgery. Most won’t operate on someone as morbidly obese as that. I am not being sarcastic. She is seriously overweight.
“Please, rather than judging trans people as freaks, just look it up. There is a lot of research on this and you have no excuse for being prejudiced and ignorant when you can just click Google and educate yourselves. ”
ah, embertine…that would actually involve opening their minds, and obviously they can’t do that. if they did that they wouldn’t have anyone to bash.
I say you go Chaz. Whatever gets you thru the night babe. But please get fit and lose the weight . You deserve it. Peace.
This really made me laugh…
“will probably get bashed for this, and it is not meant as a comment on sex-changes (which i support) but i’m wondering why is it that when women become men they almost always become fat, ugly men?”
Check out
http://transguys.com/map/
This made me laugh
“i’m wondering why is it that when women become men they almost always become fat, ugly men?
Check out
http://transguys.com/map/
Its interesting to see a variety of transguys in all shapes and sizes….
She will have to loose at least 10 pounds for surgery to be deemed safe.
And exactly. what does “raising awareness” mean? explain please.
I’ve seen very trim manly F to M transexuals and they look exactly like men on the outside, but for some mastectomy scars, which fade over time.
Not all transexuals opt to change their actual genitals surgically.