Chaz Bono Granted Name and Gender Change

By PopEater Staff Posted May 6th 2010 02:51PM

It's official: Following gender-reassignment surgery last year, Chaz Bono is legally a man. A Santa Monica judge on Thursday granted Bono's request to change his name from Chastity to Chaz and to switch his gender identification to male.

Bono was represented in court by attorney Kristina Wertz of the Transgender Law Center, who said her client "couldn't be happier."

"This is an important step in his transition and will allow him to change a variety of his identity documents to show who he truly is," Wertz said in a statement following the court visit.

The 41-year-old writer-activist, born Chastity Sun Bono to Sonny and Cher, told PEOPLE back in December that the gender-change process had been exhilarating.

"It's hard for me to articulate how this feels -- when you've lived your whole life in a body and having everybody relate to you as something you don't feel," Bono said. "When that finally gets righted, it's just amazing. I finally get to live my life the way I've always wanted to."

Bono has a long-time girlfriend, Jennifer Elia, and even appeared on 'Celebrity Fit Club' in 2006.

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Chaz Bono Shots

Chaz Bono is taped by documentary film makers as he arrives to the Santa Monica Courthouse to formally ask a judge to change his name and gender following his 2009 sex change. More Photos >>

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Chaz Bono Snapshots

FILE - In this April 7, 1998 file photo, Chastity Bono is shown in Palm Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Susan Sterner, file)

Chaz Bono Snapshots

SANTA MONICA, CA - MAY 6: Chaz Bono arrives to the Santa Monica Courthouse to formally ask a judge to change his name and gender following his 2009 sex change surgery, on May 6, 2010 in Santa Monica, California. Chaz, born to Sonny and Cher Bono in 1969, and named Chastity Sun Bono, wants to be known as Chaz Salvatore. The name Chastity came from the title of the 1969 film Cher made with her first husband Sonny, who died in a skiing accident in 1998. Chaz revealed his gender reassignment surgery last June. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Chaz Bono Snapshots

SANTA MONICA, CA - MAY 6: Chaz Bono is taped by documentary film makers as he arrives to the Santa Monica Courthouse to formally ask a judge to change his name and gender following his 2009 sex change surgery, on May 6, 2010 in Santa Monica, California. Chaz, born to Sonny and Cher Bono in 1969, and named Chastity Sun Bono, wants to be known as Chaz Salvatore. The name Chastity came from the title of the 1969 film Cher made with her first husband Sonny, who died in a skiing accident in 1998. Chaz revealed his gender reassignment surgery last June. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Chaz Bono Snapshots

Tags: chaz bono

Comments

(155)

Thursday 06 May

By Wright Orleft

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Looks like a cleaned up Sam Kinnison

By Mel

My parents taught me..if you don't have anything good to say,,don't say anything...well..that's where I'm at right now.

Friday 07 May

By Hugh Jassol

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So she is now a he. A not very attractive he, but a he nonetheless. It doesn't matter. People like "him" will never be truly happy with themselves anyway. Rotsa ruck.

By Jessica

I didn't know you could legally change your gender. Well, whatever makes a person happy that isn't hurting anyone else, I'm all for.

By Barry

I am just glad that he is happy now. So much negativity in this world.

By boldier

Way to go Chuck !!

By themeeker

I hope he finally has what he wants. What a tough road it must have been.

By Edog

She looks like the late Chris Farley

By lin

TMZ was interviewing Chaz and I noticed that he sounds just like his late father Sonny.

By Sue

I don't pretend to understand this. If it makes him happy, then who am I to judge. I have not walked in his shoes. I hope this brings him true happiness.

By cloeownsyou

No one Should judge. And I'm sure any judgments are ignored and overlooked. ~Happiness~ is the key

By Shannon

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So now that she is a man she thinks it is ok for her to be fat? He should lose some weight and at least try to be an attractive man.

By Stephanie

Idiot. He was large before the surgery. And what the HELL does that have to do with anything? Talk about shallow.

By Gia

Shannon..superficial much??

By Maria

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I totally agree.

By Scot

She is happy and that is all that matters.

So true. Something lacking in these people that they need to be so shallow and cruel.

By Owen

I will never understand why we americans are so mean and hateful. You have no idea what Chaz as been through. At least applaud him for having the guts to try to find the real him. Thats more then most of you cowards that sit back and judge and try to make your own ego feel better by hating others...grow up

Wednesday 03 November

By mary

I wonder what it was like not being able to live up to your mothers looks

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