The only child of famed entertainers Sonny and Cher, Chaz Bono is an LGBT rights advocate, author, and speaker. Chaz recently began gender transition in the public eye, where he continues to impact change and create awareness and visibility for this cause.
Although Chaz came out as a lesbian to his parents at 18-years-old in 1987, he did not publicly come out until April 1995 in an interview with The Advocate, the national gay and lesbian news magazine. Chaz’ decision to come out prompted his public work in support of LGBT rights and social justice. Chaz contributed as a writer-at-large to The Advocate, and shortly thereafter became the spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, promoting National Coming Out Day. Chaz also served as Entertainment Media Director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), working behind the scenes with shows like Ellen and Will and Grace, and on films including The Jackal.
An acclaimed author, Chaz has written three books: Transition:The Story of How I Became a Man (Penguin Group USA, 2011), Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families (Little Brown 1998), which is based on Chaz’s own stories and experiences as well as the experiences of about a dozen other gay people and their family members; and The End of Innocence: A Memoir (Advocate Books, 2003).
Today, Chaz is working on his third book, to be released by Dutton in 2011, and currently is filming a documentary about his transition with World of Wonder Productions. Chaz is an activist for LGBT rights, and is also a student at Antioch University.
Chaz currently lives in Los Angeles with his partner, Jennifer Elia.
Add to Folio
Email Profile
Print Profile
Request Speaker