Celebrity daughter Chastity Bono is undergoing a sex change to become a man, her publicist announced Thursday.

The gender-swap process began shortly after Bono's 40th birthday in March and more than a decade after she came out as a lesbian in a 1995 issue of The Advocate.

"Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity," spokesman Howard Bragman said in a statement using only male pronouns.


Chastity, the only child of Sonny and Cher, will have gender reassignment surgery, according to Us magazine.

"He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones," said Bragman, declining to answer any questions.

Bono became a vocal advocate of gay and transgendered rights after going public with her sexuality.

There was no immediate comment from Cher, who initially cringed at her daughter's lesbianism before making peace with Chastity. Her father, Sonny Bono, died in 1998.