Chastity Bono Announces Sex Change

Chastity Bono (born a girl, daughter of Sonny and Cher) is having a sex change to become a man. A spokes person for Bono says Bono "has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity." Said spokes person also noted that Bono had begun the the sex-change process earlier this year. Publicist Howard Bragman stated that Bono is proud of his decision and hopes "that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue."

Bono is a 40 year-old writer, reality TV star, and activist, came out as gay 20 years ago.

In the book "Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming-Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, & Their Families," Bono describes the realization of being "somehow different — specifically different from who my mom expected me to be."

Bono's second book, "The End of Innocence: A Memoir," details how relationships with Joan, a lover, and Sonny and Cher changed after coming out.

In 1995, Bono posed for the cover of the gay magazine The Advocate and began working for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).