Chaz Bono, the transgendered son of gay icon Cher, has spoken out for the first time about the singer’s reaction to his sexuality.
Chaz was born a woman and underwent several surgeries between 2008 to 2010 to change his gender. Cher was supportive of Chaz’s transformation, but the 43-year-old star says his mother hasn’t always been so thrilled about his life choices.
“As far back as four or five I felt like a boy and wished I was a boy. At that time I didn’t know anything about people being transgender or changing their sex. As I started to get older I made the mistake of thinking I was gay,” Chaz told The Sun newspaper.
“My mother is a gay icon yet she wasn’t over the moon when I came out as a lesbian in 1995. I wasn’t surprised by her reaction.
“In fact, I knew it was going to be bad.”
Chaz understands that it has been “difficult” for Cher throughout the years. The star – who gained a lot of respect on his recent stint on the American series Dancing with the Stars – admires his mother for always sticking by him.
“For parents this could be something that’s kind of hard to deal with. It’s a process of grieving for a child you’ve lost and adjusting to the new one taking their place. It takes a lot of time,” he explained.
“She sticks up for me – and what an ally to have. We are developing a new relationship.”
