Chaz Bono on Good Morning America “I’m living the life I’ve always wanted”

chazheader
Chaz Bono was on Good Morning America this morning. (I’m not sure how to embed the video, but you can watch it on GMA’s website.) It was Chaz’s second televised interview since making the announcement that he would honor his true gender and make the transition from female to male. Chazalso appeared on Entertainment Tonight about three weeks ago, where he had a very heartfelt discussion about what he was going through. He explained on ET that “I always felt like the male from the time I was a child,” and “I feel more like myself more than I ever felt. I feel happier and more confident” after going through the change.

Chaz was nervous on GMA at first but then he got into his stride and seemed to become more comfortable talking about it. You could really hear the changes in his voice, which was deeper and sounded kind of like an adolescent boy. This makes sense because Chaz said of his change that he was “literally going through puberty.” He’s been having hormone treatments for about eight months and has had his breasts surgically removed.

chaz4
First hurdle: loss of privacy
When asked what the most difficult parts of his change were, Chaz said “the first thing that was just an incredible hurdle was the idea that I wasn’t going to be able to do this privately like most people can. That took a really long time to get over. And then, I think it was about dealing with the people in my life and how it was going to affect them. And finally, it came down to realizing that I got to live my life for myself. And life is short and life is precious, and this is who I am I need to finally be who I am.”

On Gender identity
“To me, gender is between your ears not between your legs. I’ve felt male as far back as I can remember. As a child, it was really clear…. I felt like a boy. I felt like one of the boys…

“As you get older, it gets more confusing. Suddenly there’s more pressure to fit into your assigned gender identity…

chaz1
On being a lesbian for a while
“A lot of female to male transgender people end up doing a stint in the lesbian community, because it just kind of makes sense. That’s what happened to me. At 13/14 I was real clear at that point that I was attracted to women… I guess I’m a lesbian.”

Chris Cuomo then said “That’s the simple answer, right? Because who you’re attracted to…”

“Has nothing to do with your gender identity,” Chaz finished. “A lot of people find that confusing but they’re two completely different things. One is how you view yourself and how you feel, and the other one is who you’re attracted to.”

On how it’s not an easy decision or process
“This was a very difficult decision to make, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I am happier, more confident. I feel great… It would almost be easy to say why did I wait so long to do this, except I’m a person who believes things happen when they’re supposed to happen. I was ready when I was supposed to be ready.”

“I needed to work through the things that scared me in order to start this journey. At this point nothing scares me, I’m living the life I’ve always wanted to live now and that’s amazing.”

chaz3
On being the public face of the transgender movement
“I don’t look at it as campaigning. I struggled a lot getting here. If by being public about it other people can see this and not have to struggle quite as much as I did, then I’m really happy to do that.”

“If I can make help things easier legislation wise, I’m happy to do that as well. I’ve been an activist in the LGBT community for a long time, I don’t really think that anything’s changed… I’m just a little more focused on the T now than the L and the G.”

Chaz really impressed me and I hope he does help make this easier for other transgender people. I know he’s opened my eyes about what it’s like for him. I really enjoyed watching this interview and learning more about it from his perspective.

chaz2

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

34 Responses to “Chaz Bono on Good Morning America “I’m living the life I’ve always wanted””

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Tia C says:

    Love him! Every time I see Chaz for some reason he makes me smile. It’s good to see someone living their authentic life and feeling really happy about it. Good for him.

  2. mhjmc says:

    So very happy for him!! He looks more comfortable than ever!! Best wishes to him & his girlfriend!!

  3. cmolha says:

    Well, I’m implementing the saying “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

  4. Firestarter says:

    Is it just me, or does Chaz look more and more like his mother the more he becomes a man? I look at him, and all I see is Cher, with shirt hair, wearing a suit.

  5. Babs says:

    I agree with Firestarter. Chaz looks more like Cher with each new photo. He looks very happy and it must feel good to be who you want to be.

  6. Firestarter says:

    That should read short hair, not shirt hair.

  7. lilred says:

    We should all be so fortunate to find true happiness and true self.

  8. Roma says:

    Chaz does seem like he’s coming into his own. Though with the transitioning, I always wonder about his girlfriend and I’d love to hear her do an interview. She started dating a lesbian but ended up with a man; she must feel a lot of love for Chaz to have stayed.

  9. MeMyself says:

    Here, here, Lilred.

    That is so true.

  10. california angel says:

    Well, he holds himself very well considering the personal nature of the subject matter. That picture with all the puppies is too cute…look at the chihuahua. hehe

  11. Tia C says:

    @ Firestarter – “…Cher, with short hair, wearing a suit.” LOL! No, it’s not just you. I’ve noticed the same thing about Chaz starting to resemble Cher more. Kinda cool.

    @ Roma – I’ve been wondering the same thing about how his girlfriend has been feeling. She sure seems supportive!

  12. wow says:

    @ Cmolha – I think I’ll follow your lead. 😉

  13. guilty pleasures says:

    I watched the video, and am so very happy for Chaz. He seems contented and happy. He reminds me of two of my favourite male friends, the guys you turn to for advice and a supportive shoulder.
    I am so surprised by people who choose to hate and judge, what possible harm can come to others by people moving toward their personal reality? I think that people who express hatred for what they don’t know or understand harbour either deep ignorance or a self-loathing. I wish them light.

  14. Melanie says:

    @cmolha and wow: Here’s an other saying you should apply. “If you can’t imply anything nice, don’t imply anything at all.”

  15. anonymous says:

    happy for him, for sure, but anyone else think he looks like a living version of eric cartman? I just look at Chaz and I see Cartman in a suit. lol

  16. Rosanna says:

    He looks like such a beautiful man. I would love for him to lose weight though, I think his health would improve as well as his looks.

  17. Lem says:

    I ♥ Chaz and right now I’m loving the CB community.

    I’m so glad to see him happy. He always, always brings a smile to my face.

  18. BitterBetty says:

    He reminds me of Kevin James. he’s a cute looking guy and I wish him the best.

  19. whitedaisy says:

    He looks so happy.

  20. nanster says:

    I can’t imagine how awful it must be to realize that you’ve been born into the wrong body/gender. Chaz’s very public struggle can only help to pave the way to a better life for the other “tortured souls” out there living with the same issues. I applaud his courage.

  21. Stella says:

    @Melanie- my thoughts exactly! If you can’t say anything nice- just don’t post, its that easy!

    Concerning Chaz- good for him! I think its wonderful that he has the strength and support to go through something so difficult- and to go through it in the public eye no less! I hope he is able to find true happiness now!

  22. Feebee says:

    Ladies, if we only posted nice posts this might be a very boring place. How would we comment on Mr Gosselin?

    However, back to Chaz. I wish he was able to elaborate on how he felt like a male growing up. Being on the boys team vs the girls didn’t explain it. I’m not picking on him, it’s just a fascinating subject. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to “know” you are something different from what you’ve been born. He is courageous.

    I thought Chris Cuomo handled the interview well cos, well, sometimes interviewers don’t.

  23. audrey says:

    CB, you are awesome for using the correct gendered pronouns and being so positive and supportive of transgender people. let’s hope the rest of society catches up ASAP.

  24. SixxKitty says:

    Well Done CB. Thats what keeps me comming back to this site!

    I love Chaz, always did but feel really happy for him that he can be himself and be happy, cause lets face it, life is too short to live as other’s want us too.
    All the best Chaz.

  25. Emily says:

    Wow, I’m so happy for him. I think he’s such a great role model for other trans people out there, he seems so down to earth and articulate.

    @Feebee, it’s not something that is easily explained, I don’t think. I have two FTM friends, and while they can tell you that they always knew, you can’t really understand that unless it happens to you. As far as I understand, it’s sort of like growing up and knowing you’re gay, but then there’s the whole wrong body issue as well… It just makes me realise how lucky I am that my brain matches my parts.

  26. westender says:

    If he is finally at peace with himself and happy with his life that is what counts. Plus sharing what must be a very private thing with the world also shows a lot of strength and character. Good for him!!

  27. Lia says:

    Talk about irony. Following the “Chaz” story with one about Gerard Butler….. making the homeliest ‘man’ alive look even more homely, and the most beautiful man alive look more beautiful. Beauty and The Beast, in an odd sort of way….

  28. dingleberry says:

    He kinda looks like Michael Buble in that middle pic.

  29. DoMaJoReMc says:

    @ cmohla and wow:
    Then, why didn’t you just NOT TYPE AT ALL?

    You say it best when you say nothing at all

  30. fizXgirl314 says:

    Things like this really make me happy… knowing someone can make such a drastic change in their life and not be stoned to death or something… and actually be… accepted. That gives me the warm fuzzies 🙂

  31. Alexa says:

    I’ve always had a soft spot for Chaz – right when I first saw him on his parents’ t.v. show. It’s been a long journey to get where he’s at, and I pray that his living his true gender lasts even longer! All the best, Chaz!

  32. beachbum says:

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion whether people on here like it or not.

  33. filthy cute says:

    If Chastity’s girlfriend is a lesbian, what does that make her now that Chastity is Chaz?

  34. jilly willy says:

    When Chaz was a little kid, you never saw a smile on her face. Now, that’s all you see in every picture. Big beautiful toothy smile.

    Congratulations Chaz – live your life and always be happy.