Chaz Bono Calls His Girlfriend 'Amazing,' Relationship 'Heterosexual'

people.com:

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

Read the whole story: people.com

Comments

[dben]

So, let me get this right:

1. the effects of SYNTHETIC testosterone in trans "men" are natural and good

2. the masculine behavior produced by natural levels of endogenous testosterone in biological males is a "construct" and "learned behavior"

If masculinity is fiction how can trans "men" justify their desire to be mimic this behavior and why do they feel more authentic doing so?

If masculinity is a "construct" why do trans "men" want so desperately to inject synthetic testosterone for a lifetime in order to act and appear just like biological males?

[tploomis]

I am very happy for Chaz that he has taken constructive steps to come to terms with his gender identity.

[Niasia]

ok but her/his face looks very feminine...and if you wanted a hetero relationship you know there are men out there...i don't get it.

[ShakeYourComplacency]

When Chaz is done, there will be nothing feminine about her, and her face will look like any man on the street. She could even grow a full beard.

As to what Jennifer wants, only she can say. Some gay women I'm sure would not be able to stay in the relationship, because what you want is another woman, after all. But she loves him and that may be enough. Or, more likely, she was attracted to his pre-trans look and attitude when she met him and he was very up front with her. So it's apparent she likes very butch partners, and if this complete transition is something she likes as well, then it all works out. If not, she can leave.

Personally, I could never be with a butch woman, much less a trans FTM, because it's the femininity and softness I'm attracted to, not maleness. To me, that's the whole point. Otherwise, I'd date men. But many gay women don't feel that way. They love women, but they miss the masculinity. Being with a completely femme woman would make them feel like they were with a sister, not a lover. So butch women are attractive - they are women, yet bring to the table strength and masculinity, and an irresistable boyishness. (As well as taking certain helpful roles). Butch/femme is a classic coupling. It's just not for me.

[Dupree]

Part TWO

Well, I make no bones about it...it is unusual and strange. It is not a judgment but a real honest assessment of one cutting off their organs or adding to their organs or emerging totally different than how they were born. I am not the least bit interested in appeasing the demand for political correct dialogue...I just say it like it really is. I would never disrespect any human being who finds themselves in this predicament. I do not fully understand it but I respect their struggles and the pain and bunion of the walk of their journey. But I still don't quite get it. But one thing I will never do...is label them as "strange or bizarre" in spite of my honest inability to wrap my head around how one must feel to be an alien in their own body that does not express physically what they have determined is their core being. But I do know that Cher had no problem labeling Michael Jackson.

[Dupree]

correction to post: I meant to say just unusual and the thoughts were fixed on what Cher stated which is why I inadvertently made the reference in the wrong part of my paragraph.

[Dupree]

Part ONE

The complexities of life is something that I never ever can wrap my head totally around and therefore I will leave each individual their right to make their own choices in life without my judgment for we all live and die by our decisions and one day...I am convinced that we all will be enlightened to the true issues of life. However, one thing disturbs me and it is not so much with Chasity as it is with her mother, Cher. I remember that when it was announced that Michael Jackson died and Cher was asked to make a comment she labeled Michael as "bizarre and weird." And I was immediately offended by her statement knowing that she has a sensitive issue before her with her own daughter. I was uncomfortable with her labeling Michael that as I would never labeled her daughter now son filed under that category.

I think that we all need a little sensitivity in life and to respect the difficult plights of others. I would be lying if I said I understood the dynamics that goes into these kind of deliberation for one to decides to alter their own sex organs. I know...it is not politically correct to state the obvious of how strange that is ...even in our supposedly progressive mind world.

[jessicajuliette]

interesting point, how would Cher feel if someone said the same thing about her child?

people can be awfully judgmental til it happens to them then it's a whole nother story!!!

[615gal]

He could also benefit with some stomach staple surgery. I see diabetes in his future.

[rejoyce5]

But her face will always look feminine.

[filmex]

Make it stop! Arrrggghhh!

[SuperMoncho]

Thanks huffington i just parted ways with my breakfast.

[leeclayton]

That's a real shame. Now why don't you just slurp it back up?

[dben]

Transgenders and their supporters are quick to pronounce the effects of SYNTHETIC testosterone as "natural" in trans "men".

How is it those same people are equally quick to dismiss masculinity as nothing more than a "construct" in biological males full of natural testosterone?

If masculinity is fiction how can trans "men" justify their desire to be mimic this behavior and why do they feel more authentic doing so? If masculinity is a "construct" why do trans "men" want so desperately to inject testosterone for a lifetime and act just like biological males?

[dben]

Transgenders and their supporters are quick to pronounce the effects of SYNTHETIC testosterone as "natural" in trans "men".

How is it those same people are equally quick to dismiss masculinity as nothing more than a "construct" in biological males full of natural testosterone?

If masculinity is fiction how can trans "men" justify their desire to be mimic this behavior and why do they feel more authentic doing so? If masculinity is a "construct" why do trans "men" want so desperately to inject testosterone for a lifetime and act just like biological males?

[Cogs]

Living with this turmoil in your head has to be an incredible challenge to inner peace and happiness.

[booker52]

Chaz Bono for years has struggle for years. I wonder sometimes if all of this has to un resolved anger for un-resolved issues. Me, I say go to a counselor and work these out.

[PlanoBlue]

Chaz probably has been in counseling which has enabled him to accept his true self and take action to resolve his gender identiy issues. I applaud his bravery and hope he and his girlfriend have a wonderful life together.

[bokiluis]

A bit of enlightenment just hit me. I was a bit taken back as to why Cher reportedly had difficulty accepting Chaz' acknowledgment that she was a "lesbian" awhile ago. And then, peddle forward, this happens. And Cher's comments are once again difficult to decipher.

As several have pointed out, I now see that indeed Chaz, by way of her comments to the press, finds her years as a "labeled" homosexual/lesbian, somehow "wrong"......henceforth, hinting that he and his partner have lived as a "heterosexual couple for the last 4 years".

None of our business, especially mine.....but it sounds like Chaz needs a few more years of therapy to finally make peace with who he was, is and finally hopes to fully become once surgery is complete.

(That revelation twisted my brain a little more than expected on a Sunday morning.)

[ShakeYourComplacency]

I think you're making something simple very complicated. Chastity has always, to me, seemed uncomfortable in her own body. And the way her parents dressed her up in bows and ribbons and paraded her on tv didn't help her any, didn't leave a lot of room for self exceptance, much less parental understanding.

When Chastity came out as gay, she was not a lipstick lesbian, she was butch. So this shouldn't be so much of a shock to everyone. The only surprise is why she didn't trans years ago. She has identified as male for a long, long time. And in this new relationship, she has actually lived a hetero style partnership.

People like Chaz who feel male, are wired male, and are not attracted to gay women but instead straight women - should trans. They should not remain in gay relationships. This is a person who is VERY content right now, very secure, and very happy. She's not confused at all, she knows exactly who she is and what she wants. If she needs any kind of therapy, it's to deal with her mother.

[bokiluis]

Um, and you say I am making something "simple", rather "complicated"?
Did you read what you wrote before you hit "send"?
Your comment, with all due respect, would hardly be classified as "simple" to those who have little understanding of this phenomena.
But I appreciate your attempt to "simplify" this situation.

[bokiluis]

I do wish them both well. It is a little confusing though to say that you have lived your lives as a "heterosexual couple" in the last 4 years. Wouldn't the first couple of those years at least be a progressive lesbian alliance rather than heterosexual?

No matter, it is a brave and bold journey that Chaz is on under the scrutiny of millions who knew his past existence. I applaud his confidence and wishes both of them continued happiness from this day forward.

[DannyGee]

"brave"? Seriously?