Chaz Bono

I don't have television so I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to what the hot issues of the day are. So, lately, I've been hearing through the grapevine bits and pieces about Chaz Bono being plastered aboot on the telly (who made headlines this June when he announced plans to transition from a female to male), especially after an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight (airing this Thursday? Or has it already?). My grandma even e-mailed me about it saying, "I watched Chaz Bono being interviewed and he was so clear and intelligent about his transition. Of course it made me think a lot about you, Mel, and what life must have been (and is) for you. I continue to worry about your health and safety but heck, I worry the same about all of the family. I just want you to be whole and happy. To B U."

Awwww! Cute accepting, loving granny.

And go Chaz, for being open and brave about his transition even in the face of an undoubtedly frustrating media onslaught.

So alas, lacking television viewage, I have been reading news online about the latest antics involving good ol' Chaz Bono. In one article released October 30th from People Magazine, Cher was quoted as saying (in regards to supporting Chaz's decision to pursue a sex change), "The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child."

Awww again!

ET did an interview back in the day with Alexis Arquette when she came out as trans and media shit hit the fan. She tells Chaz that "he is not alone and he’s never been alone and anyone like him will never be alone." and in regards to the People Magazine cover story titled "Chastity’s Choice" Alexis says that it isn't entirely accurate because he "made the choice to come out as transgendered [he] never made the choice of being transgendered. Nobody would chose this life… We all just want to be accepted for who we are."

Well put, Alexis.

In another article from People Magazine, Chaz was quoted as saying, "I always felt like the male from the time I was a child,... There wasn't much feminine about me." -- which is one of a few quotes that differentiate some of us trans people from Chaz when it comes to the gender component. Like how there's Adrian, who is also FTM, but incredibly feminine AND attracted to men. Yeah, sex (biological) and gender (social) are linked, but, as illustrated above, they're also way distinct aspects of an individual's identity.

All n' all, I'm really excited about celebrities like Chaz and Alexis being out and proud and at least exposing the general population to the basic concept of being trans.