Chaz Bono talks sex change ahead of 'Becoming Chaz' premiere
Tue. May 10, 2011 5:36 AM by OnTopMag.com
In an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show and in several interviews, Chaz Bono is promoting Tuesday's premiere of Becoming Chaz.
Becoming Chaz, which focuses on Bono's gender reassignment, will launch nascent cabler OWN's documentary series. Winfrey launched the network in January.
The 42-year-old Bono, who was born Chastity Bono to gay idol Cher and the late entertainer-politician Sonny Bono, announced
last June that he was eight months into gender reassignment.
In an interview with Winfrey, Bono talks about how altering his sex affected his relationship with longtime love Jennifer Elia.
"It was really hard," Elia says on Monday's broadcast.
"We had to really almost re-learn how to communicate and how to be around each other," Bono adds. "Suddenly [things] didn't mean the same thing to her. And so we really had to, you know, adjust our – how we did things and relearn how to be together."
In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Bono lamented that transgender rights hadn't kept pace with gay and lesbian rights.
"Obviously the transgender movement has not progressed in the way that the gay and lesbian movement has," Bono said. "But I'm an activist – that's just the kind of person I am."
Immediately following the documentary's premiere, OWN will broadcast a one-hour special hosted by Rosie O'Donnell that focuses on the making of the film and various issues faced by transgender people and their families. In the special, O'Donnell will talk to Bono, Elia, and the makers of the documentary.
Becoming Chaz, which focuses on Bono's gender reassignment, will launch nascent cabler OWN's documentary series. Winfrey launched the network in January.
The 42-year-old Bono, who was born Chastity Bono to gay idol Cher and the late entertainer-politician Sonny Bono, announced
last June that he was eight months into gender reassignment.
In an interview with Winfrey, Bono talks about how altering his sex affected his relationship with longtime love Jennifer Elia.
"It was really hard," Elia says on Monday's broadcast.
"We had to really almost re-learn how to communicate and how to be around each other," Bono adds. "Suddenly [things] didn't mean the same thing to her. And so we really had to, you know, adjust our – how we did things and relearn how to be together."
In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Bono lamented that transgender rights hadn't kept pace with gay and lesbian rights.
"Obviously the transgender movement has not progressed in the way that the gay and lesbian movement has," Bono said. "But I'm an activist – that's just the kind of person I am."
Immediately following the documentary's premiere, OWN will broadcast a one-hour special hosted by Rosie O'Donnell that focuses on the making of the film and various issues faced by transgender people and their families. In the special, O'Donnell will talk to Bono, Elia, and the makers of the documentary.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine