Cher has given her public support to her daughter Chastity, as Chastity makes the transition from female to male, from Chastity to Chaz. Cher gave her statement to US Weekly, saying that supports Chaz’s courage, and she also says “although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding.” Which I think means that Cher was maybe caught off-guard with Chaz’s announcement? Or was it something Chaz had told his mother beforehand? Cher also says, “The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child.” Which is awesome. I hope this is the signal for a new era in understanding the transgendered, and I hope that Cher will give more public statements about how she’s dealing with this as a mother:
Cher is speaking out for the first time about daughter Chastity transitioning from female to male as Chaz Bono.
“Chaz is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support,” Cher tells Usmagazine.com in a statement. “I respect the courage it takes to go through this transition in the glare of public scrutiny, and although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding. The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child.”
Last week, Us reported that Bono began undergoing a sex change after turning 40 on March 4. A rep would not offer details on the procedure (gender reassignment typically involves surgery and hormone therapy).
“Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity,” the Bono spokesperson said.
“He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones,” the rep continued. “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.”
[From US Weekly]
Though some disagree, I really think that in the long run, we’ll find that we are born gay, straight, transgendered, and everything in between. It’s how we were made – and if someone feels like a man caught in a woman’s body, or vice versa, so be it. It’s like hating someone for their eye color.
In other Chaz Bono news, Radar reported a few days ago that Chaz and longtime girlfriend Jennifer Elia are engaged. According to Radar’s jewelry store source, Chaz once bought Jennifer an engagement ring – but it was a few years ago, so it may just be a nice ring, not an engagement ring. Apparently, Jennifer adores the simple solitaire diamond, and wears it all the time. They also report that Jennifer is “the light of Chaz’s life” and that Cher adores Jennifer. I know there are probably rough spots with having Cher as a mother, but in general, Cher seems like she’s a great mom to have around.
It’s my understanding Cher has been aware of Chaz intentions for over a year. Sounds like, family has healed. I’ve ordered Chaz book, Family Outing, looks like a great read.
“although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding.”
That was beautifully, beautifully said. If more people had that attitude, I think the world would be a much happier place.
I’d expect nothing less from Cher. It may be in the public eye, which is unfortunate for Chaz, but it also brings awareness to the issue for other, less tolerant, less informed people. I hope she can take comfort in knowing that.
YAY! Another reason to love Cher.
It’s good to know Cher approves of Jennifer. I was wondering what type of person Jennifer is. Has she been with men in the past? I hope she is as committed to the relationship as Chaz is.
I’ve said this before, I hope Chaz is doing this because he wants to, not because his partner wants to be with a man.
When I look back at the relationship of Melissa Etheridge/Julie Cypher, I always felt it was one-sided for some reason. It was obvious Melissa was very much in love, yet Julie abruptly decided she was not a lesbian and ended up with a man again. That must have been so painful for Melissa, who like Chaz, seems like such a good person.
I wish Chaz the best.
Beautifully worded statement from Cher. She’s my new best celebrity Mom after Marie Osmond.
Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t understand what the parents have to “deal with” if their child changes from one sex to another. Isn’t parental love unconditional, so they would love the child anyway, because the person is the same – just that the exterior has changed?
Oh lord Jag – I could tell you a story or ten about parents and their shirking of unconditional love.
Needless to say your belief in the unconditional love of parents for their kids may be naive or perhaps ‘happily innocent’ – remain so. It’s a nicer place where you are.
Jag, I am sure you are not ignorant nor lacking in compassion. Maybe you are just naive because you’ve never experienced NOT having unconditional love. The world would be a better place if everyone believed as you do. And I mean that in a good way.
There is something I dont understand though and I hope you guys know I’m not trying to be rude or anything. But if 2 lesbians have a relationship and one becomes a man physically… then isnt it a straight relationship at that point?
I took “although I may not understand” simply to mean that Cher acknowledges that since she is not transgendered herself, she has no way of knowing exactly what a transgendered person is going through… an attitude which I think a lot of more judgemental people could take a lesson from. People want to think they know what it’s like to be transgendered, but they just don’t unless they are transgendered themselves.
@dovesgate: believe it or not, it doesn’t have to have a label at all… it’s just a relationship. I think people should start getting out of this habit of feeling the need to categorise relationships based on combinations of genitals. Who cares? One person loves another, that’s the only label needed.
i realy have a bad feeling about this one…
Cinderella, you have a good point. Didn’t Julie Cypher hook up with that La Bamba dude?
@dovesgate: it really depends on the couple. sometimes the transition can cause a problem in the relationship, sometimes it doesn’t matter. there are many factors and it’s very personal. as far as labelling goes, i think society would technically consider the pre-transition relationship to be lesbian and the post-transition relationship to be straight but both could be considered queer. and as melissa maples said, what you call it is irrelevant. love is love and we should all embrace it in any and every form.
It must be difficult for Cher, giving birth to a daughter, having dreams and hopes for her daughter. AND then, her daughter wanting to become a man. Her whole world view had to change for her to love and except her child. Good for her, after all we love our children unconditionally.
I think Chaz is spiritually a man, stuck in a women`s body. His transition is difficult enough, I`m glad Cher is loving and supportive.
Hello! My sister is trans (FTM) and I believe from my own experiences that it is the most difficult on the parents. My mom is one of those “cool-understanding-liberal-explains everything in astrology” moms that all my friends are jealous of. My sister was blessed to have a mother who loves her kids unconditionally.
However most studies on families dealing with trans family members agree that the road to acceptance is very similar to grieving. As a parent you have to let go of the person they were, and grieve, before you can truly accept the person they will become. It’s not a matter of “love” it’s a matter of letting go, and it can be incredibly difficult.
I adore Cher for being real. And coincidentally my sister loves the song Do You Believe in Life After Love. I do too.
Help me understand: Chastity professes to be a lesbian and is attracted to women and has a girlfriend to which she is engaged. Her girlfriend is also a lesbian…However, now that Chastity will become “Chaz”, a man, is she still considered a lesbian because she is now a man who is attracted to a woman and is her girlfriend, who is a lesbian, no longer a lesbian because she is attracted to Chaz, who is now a man? I don’t get it..