Should the Gay & Lesbian Community Support Chaz Bono?

Please read this article from People Magazine 10-30-2009 - by Tim Nudd

Chaz Bono Girlfriend Completely Supports Sex Change

Chaz Bono says his girlfriend of four years, Jennifer Elia, has been completely supportive during his process of becoming a man. Now, he says, his gender reassignment surgery allows the couple to physically have what they've always had emotionally: a heterosexual relationship.

"She's been amazing," Bono, 40, tells Entertainment Tonight in the second part of a two-part interview, airing Friday. "I feel really grateful to be going through this with a partner."

RELATED: Chaz: I Love Being a Man

Elia knew his intentions from the start, Bono says. "I didn't just spring this on Jennifer recently. This was something she knew about shortly after we met."

He adds: "Our relationship always modeled a heterosexual relationship, emotionally and intellectually. So now it does physically as well."

Bono has said he felt male from the time he was a child. "I feel like I'm living in my body for the first time, and it feels really good," he tells ET.

In June, Bono's mother, Cher, told PEOPLE she supported the decision to pursue a sex change. "The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child," she said.

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I am having a hard time being supportive after reading this article. Please explain it to me so I will understand . . .

Chaz Bono on 'DWTS': 'America Really Needs to See This' - ABC News

Chaz Bono on 'DWTS': 'America Really Needs to See This' - ABC News
Transgender activist Chaz Bono is speaking out for the first time against critics who say he should not be allowed to compete in the upcoming season of ABC reality show "Dancing With the Stars."
"It's made me realize I'm really glad I'm doing this, because America really needs to see this," Bono told ABC News yesterday outside the Los Angeles dance studio where he and his professional partner, Lacey Schwimmer, have been rehearsing for the show's Sep. 19 season premier.

Bragman, Bono's advisor says:
Bragman said parents should instead use his client's inclusion in the show as a teachable moment.
"Watching Chaz Bono dance is not going to make your kid transgender," Bragman told "GMA." "But what it can do is possibly save your kids life because young transgender kids, kids with gender identity issues, have a huge suicide rate and if they see one positive influence, one positive role model, this can save lives and that's why Chaz is here."
"No way he's going to back down," Bragman added. "This has really reinforced his decision to be on the show."