Chaz Bono Petitions California Court To Legally Change Name & Gender

First Published: March 29, 2010 2:13 PM EDT Credit: AP

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Chaz Bono speaks during the Transgender Law Center 7th anniversary event in San Francisco on November 5, 2009Chaz Bono is asking a judge to formally change his name and gender.

The 41-year-old writer, activist and reality-TV star, was born a girl to Sonny Bono and Cher. He filed a petition to change his name and gender last week.

Bono’s doctor filed a declaration with the court indicating he performeda gender-change operation last year.

Formerly called Chastity, Bono has called the gender change “the best decision I’ve ever made.”

The filing was first reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.com.

A hearing on the petition is scheduled for May 6 in Santa Monica, Calif.

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