Thursday, June 11, 2009

Cher will really flip over this one....

Sonny and Cher's child transitioning from female to male

(CNN)
-- Chastity Bono, gay-rights activist and child of performer Cher and the late entertainer and politician Sonny Bono, is in the early stages of transitioning from a female to a male and will be known as Chaz, his spokesman said Thursday.
Activist Chastity Bono is transitioning from female to male and will be known as Chaz.

Activist Chastity Bono is transitioning from female to male and will be known as Chaz.

"Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity," Howard Bragman said in a written statement.

"He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones. 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."

Someone's decision to transition does not necessarily mean they are undergoing gender reassignment surgery, and in many cases they do not, said Mara Keisling, executive director of the Washington-based National Center for Transgender Equality.

"The whole media fixation on surgery is kind of misplaced," she said. "Almost no transgender people ever have surgery. We don't have any idea how many do." iReport.com: Do you have a transgender story?

An estimated one-quarter to one-half percent of the American population is transsexual, however, Keisling said. "It's sort of a general term that encompasses both or either a social transition or a medical transition."

Keisling said she was unaware of the specifics in Bono's case, but speaking generally, a transition means that he will now want to be "known, seen, viewed" as a male.

"The actual details depend on his needs and wants and his doctor's needs and wants," she said.

Bragman asked that the media "respect Chaz's privacy during this long process, as he will not be doing any interviews at this time."

advertisement
Now 40, Bono as a little girl made regular appearances on her parents' show, "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour." As an adult, he has been a longtime gay-rights advocate and been closely associated with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

CNN.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

All it takes is a little money...


People: Madonna adoption set to go through
By Tony Hicks
Contra Costa Times Posted: 06/09/2009 04:02:01 PM PDT Updated: 06/09/2009 04:48:49 PM PDT

Madonna has persuaded three appeal judges to allow her to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James, according to British newspaper The Sun.

In other words, maybe she found her checkbook.

Although a rep for Madonna told "Entertainment Tonight" the singer hasn't been notified of any official decision, The Sun reports two judges already have submitted reports recommending it go ahead and the third is said to be "in complete unison with them."

Madonna, 50, whose two-year application to adopt the 3-year-old was blocked by a court in March, has been told the news by her lawyer Alan Chinula. The ruling allegedly will be announced Sunday at Malawi's Supreme Court of Appeal.


A source there said Monday: "The paperwork is being typed up now. All recommendations are in favor of the adoption taking place. Mercy should start packing her bags. She's off to America."


Sounds like hilarity will ensue.


A close friend of Madonna said, "She's ecstatic. She made a promise that she wouldn't give up on Mercy and, believe me, she could move mountains when she's this determined."

Translation: She's one scary, rich woman.

Madonna's adoption application was originally rejected because she had not lived in the east African state for 18 months, as required. But one of the three appeal judges has said that rule was out of date.

Mercury News