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Cher has found Chaz's sex change 'hard'

Oct 22, 2012, 10:01 GMT

Cher

Chaz Bono admits his mother Cher has found it 'hard' dealing with his sex change.

The 43-year-old writer-and-musician was born a girl, Chastity Bono, and made the decision to change genders in 2008 with the process taking two years.

Chaz knew he had to undergo the procedure after feeling like a man trapped in a woman's body all his life, but he claims his superstar mother Cher, 66, hasn't fully come to terms with his decision to switch sexes.

In an interview with The Sunday Times magazine, he explained: 'It's been hard for mom, but her loss isn't based on who I was before I transitioned, as I was in no way, shape or form typically female.

'For her, it's more the loss of a fantasy that probably began even before I was (born) ... of her thinking about the kind of daughter she thought she'd have.

'Mom loves girlie stuff, so it was difficult because I was never that person. I could never give her that experience. I sense she's still not 100 per cent comfortable with what I've done. She's also bad with pronouns and remembering to call me Chaz.'

Chaz legally changed his gender and name in May 2010, but he still has to undergo one final procedure to complete the gender swap process - an operation to create his penis.

But he is insisting on taking his time before deciding which option to take and which doctor to use.

Chaz revealed: 'I'm not rushing it. There's a doctor in Belgrade who does excellent metoidioplasty - this is where a penis is created using clitoral tissue grown from testosterone.

'You're going to have a smaller penis but it's completely sensate and functional on its own. There's a long recovery period, which I imagine won't be pleasant.

'But at this point, I don't feel any less male for not having a penis. It's important, but it's not the be-all and end-all.'