Cher Gives Daughter Her Support To Undergo Sex Change

Cher supports her daughter's decision to have a sex change. The "Believe" singer's daughter Chastity Bono announced last week she has begun the surgical process to become a man and will now be known as Chaz.

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In a statement, Cher said: "Chaz is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support."

"I respect the courage it takes to go through this transition in the glare of public scrutiny, and although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding. The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child."

While Cher now supports her daughter's choice to swap gender, she was initially shocked when she came out as a lesbian at the age of 18. According to Chaz's 1998 book "Family Outing" her mother sent her to a series of psychiatrists after she admitted she was a lesbian.

Even though Cher once caught her daughter in a clinch with a female college friend, the singer refused to accept her daughter was gay.

Cher, 63, previously admitted: "I flipped out. I'd always had this idea that she would get married and have a family."

Chaz's father, Cher's ex-husband Sonny Bono, was more accepting of her sexuality.

Chaz, 40, was spotted in public on Tuesday, the first time since announcing her decision

She stepped out in Los Angeles to get a massage wearing shorts, a T-shirt and baseball cap to get a massage. Onlookers said Chaz easily passed as a male.