Chaz Bono is (or, to be precise, will be) the son of Sonny and Cher Bono. Born as a woman and known until now as Chastity she is going to transition to male over the coming months. As you can imagine this has caused quite a lot of comment. There are the usual groups shouting about this and that. Yes, there are thos who think that there are some individual choices which should not be made.

There's also been enough shouting from the other side of the argument about Chaz Bono. About how "empowering", how "brave" this is, how Chaz Bono needs "support".

Ek, get over it all people, gender reassignment is hardly something new in this world of ours, it's been going on for decades. Individuals have a huge number of choices out there and a damn good thing to. It's called the advance of freedom and liberty.

Cher's child is in the process of having a sex change, it has been revealed.

Chaz Bono, who lived as a lesbian called Chastity for nearly 20 years, is to undergo gender reassignment.

His publicist Howard Bragman said last night: "He is proud of his
decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been
shown by 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."

More on this over here:

"The process has been going on for a
while now. Chaz is taking hormones. As for when he's having the breasts
removed – no date has been set," the website reveals.

"His partner of several years is
totally cool about the change, and both of them say it will not alter
their relationship," the report continues. It is believed his mother
Cher has known about Chaz's plans for over a year.

American transgender equality groups
are praising Chaz Bono for going public with his gender journey, which
is sure to create more awareness of transitioning people.

Maybe I'm just too cynical but I'm really not sure what all this "awareness" is about. Chaz Bono is changing gender. Great, very happy for him. But the rest of us, shouldn't the reaction be "so what"?

Sonny and Cher split up. He became a conservative Republican
congressman. She became a hot babe of a performer, and she continues on
that path at age 63. Their daughter Chastity came out as a lesbian and
an advocate for gay rights.

Now, Chastity has decided to become a man named Chaz.
Who would have thought it possible that that cute little girl born to
our fairy tale celebrities would someday grow up to be a guy?  And I
wonder what conservative Sonny would have thought about his daughter's
newfound persona.

And yes, obviously, someone had to make this joke:

Daughter of Sony and Cher, gay activist Chastity Bono announced today
that she is "transitioning" from female to male and will be known as
Chaz Bono. "Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the
courageous decision to honor his true identity," said a written
statement. It is estimated that one-quarter to one-half percent of the
American population is transsexual. However, Chaz Bono has not yet
decided if he will have sexual reassignment surgery. If he elects to do
so, he still will not have had as much plastic surgery as mom, Cher.

More news at the links below.