SingerCher has come out in support of her daughter Chastity Bono's decision to go fora sex change, saying that she respected "the courage that it takes".Bono announced last week thatshe has begun the surgical process to become a man and will now be known asChaz,Femalefirstreported. "Chaz is embarkingon a difficult journey, but one that I will support.
I respect the courage ittakes to go through this transition in the glare of public scrutiny, andalthough I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding.
"The one thing that will neverchange is my abiding love for my child," the'Believe'singer said in a statement.The singer, however, admittedthat it had been a difficult process for her. Cher was initially shocked to knowthat her daughter was a lesbian at the age of 18.According to Chaz's 1998 book'FamilyOuting' her mother sent her to a series ofpsychiatrists after she admitted she was a lesbian."I flipped out. I'd always hadthis idea that she would get married and have a family," the 63-year-old singerhad said.