Gosh, there I sat this past Friday ready to check over the day’s entertainment headlines and find items to make fun of (as I am wont to do on my blog, HIMBO www.shaunproulx.ca/himbo).
The biggest story that day of course, was the news that Cher and Sonny Bono’s child has begun the process of transitioning: Chastity began the journey to Chaz shortly after his 40th birthday, it was revealed Thursday afternoon last week.
Keeping in mind the well-publicized difficulty Cher had finding out her daughter was a lesbian – despite her legions of gay fans – the jokes on this new twist in the tale practically write themselves.
Only I can’t on this one. I’m just too in awe of Chaz, as I am in awe of every person who makes what I think has to be the boldest, bravest decision when it comes to living a life of authenticity.
After the journey to making the desision comes taking action, a long, emotional, physical and mental re-birth that for me doesn’t even compute, even with my most vivid imagination. Sex reassignment surgery, hormone replacement therapy, mental healthcare, entering a new realm with the general public, most of whom don’t understand trans issues, and finding out the hard way who it is in this world who really loves you for who you are no matter what – just for starters.
All in the quest to be wholly authentic. It makes my heart stop. And in Chaz Bono’s case, I’m hardpressed to think of another more public figure – thanks to the Sonny and Cher connection – so you can add the prying eyes of sensation-hungry media who will probably try their darndest to bring a very private issue out into the open to the menu of what Chaz will experience.
The upside is the opportunity that exists here for trans issues to have more light shone on them than ever before, so we can continue to understand the lesson that gender is fluid, and that this opens up a beautiful truth about who we all really are.
Meanwhile, Chaz and every other person out there who has transitioned or is even thinking of it, you have my never ending wonder and respect.
* You can hear "A Word On …" weekdays on The Shaun Proulx Show – 103.9 PROUD FM (www.proudfm.com/shaun)
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