Exclusive First Look: Chaz Bono in The 2009 Out 100

Photo: Jason Bell

Here is an exclusive first look at the 2009 Out 100: our collection of the 100 gay men, women, and trans people who have made 2009 a year to remember. In the coming days we'll reveal the rest of the honorees, including the directors, writers, Broadway producers, musicians and stars who have shaped popular art and culture; the bravest young voices, the dedicated campaigners, the openly gay politicians and lobbyists who've brought us this far; and the ordinary LGBT people who have inspired us with their extraordinary actions.

This year's theme is a gentle nod to the days that shaped, delighted, and terrified us all and made us who we are today -- school days. We've dubbed Chaz Bono (above, shot by Jason Bell) "Most Likely To Reinvent." The only child of Cher and Sonny Bono, Chaz has a long history in queer activism. After coming out in the April 1995 issue of The Advocate, he went on to write for the magazine, serve as a high-profile spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, became entertainment media director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and penned two books centered on LGBT issues. After several years under the radar, Bono broke news in June that he had begun FTM gender reassignment surgery.

Thursday evening, October 29, Entertainment Tonight will begin airing Bono's first interview since he revealed he is transitioning. After you've watched the preview here, check your local listings for channels and times to catch Mary Hart's full chat with Chaz.

Previously > Bea Arthur Leaves $300,000 to the Ali Forney Center

Comments

[Quince]

And what's the setting for the featured picture of the trans man?
The Bathrooom.

Maybe another Top 100 will feature a trans woman putting on makeup.

[Sam]

I applaud his courage for his public honesty as a role model for others struggling with self identity. Either way, Chas was never a sight for sore eyes as a chick and Chaz still is not one as a dude. Go figure...

[Evji108]

Really! What's with the mens room setting? The implications of a gay man in a restroom setting are rife with innuendo. But what are the implications of FTM in the same setting? Can he even use the urinal in the background? Is he cruising? This isn't really provocative, it's just a little strange. It's unsettling in a sort of thoughtless way. It raises more questions than it even hopes to address. I think it is a bit misguided, but maybe that's just me.

[Charles]

Because for most trans people the bathroom is a big symbol: The moment when the person "switches" bathrooms is important to them, because it is maybe THE one place in society that is strictly gendered.

And no, you don't need a real live fleshy penis to use a urinal or pee standing up. So yes, he can use the urinals. Or he could if they went designed for 4 year olds as seems to be the case lol.

[Evji108]

Okay thanks for cluing me in Charles. I can see that switching to the opposite bathroom would be a bit daunting.

[Steven]

SHE. Call me what you will, but "Chaz" is a female with mutilated parts, that's it.

[DJ]

Chaz, I am so proud of you! You have had more to overcome than the average person when it comes to gender issues, you HAD to do it in the public eye because of your parents celebrity status. I thank God that we are sent symbols of strength, like yourself, to remind us that being our TRUE selves is more important than the air we must sometimes choke on to acheive our own self actualization. I know that no matter where you go from here, it will be a wiser, stronger and happier path!
Love,
DJ

[Dj]

To Steven, and the other small minded people that felt the need to vomit hate: I'm so sorry that you are willing to disparage someone in a situation that, not only are you not able to comprehend because of its complexities, but couldn't find the courage to face the same challenges (social, medical, spiritual, internal, external, parental, etc...) that transgendered people face DAILY! I am an openly gay man, I am not trans, but I pray for the courage Chaz has displayed DAILY! BTW...when straight guys raise sand about gay guys, it's just a matter of : ''The squeaky wheel WANTS TO GET GREASED.

[Greg in KC]

Congrats Chaz!!!!
Thanks for everything that you have done for the GLBT Community. Looking forward to your future accomplishments.

[Evji108]

So now that Chastity is now Chaz, does he like girls or guys? If Chastity was a lesbian then Chaz must now like girls. If he likes girls, then he is now a straight white guy, and so what's he doing in a gay feature? Just wondering....... Well, I actually am not wondering, but I just thought I'd raise the point on technical grounds since we're all here hashing out the fine points of gender identity.

[Marcus]

Evji108 - The description of Out 100 reads "our collection of the 100 gay men, women, and trans people who have made 2009 a year to remember."

See where it says "trans people"? That's why this 'straight white guy' is here.

[pantherq]

The bathroom shot was symbolic. Although the style is so rough as to detract instead of enhancing the subject matter.

At least he is getting the conversation started in this venue, some of the posts here display the need for exposure to the entire alphabet.

[Evji108]

Oh silly me Marcus, thanks for setting me Straight.

[Jessie Spiers]

That chick is a fucking freak. I don't care what any of you sickos think. "Chaz" was a woman, is a woman, and always will be a woman. If you dig her ass up a hundred years after she's dead and do a DNA test, it's coming back "female," no matter what she or any of you fruits think.

[Dunc]

Who is Jessie Spiers, and why is he so angry?

[W Emery]

Jessie, why are you reading this web site?

[MNM]

Sorry but Jessie has a point.