Watch Being Chaz

Being Chaz was an American reality TV series that premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) on November 27, 2011. The show followed the life of Chaz Bono, the only child of pop legends Sonny and Cher, as he underwent his gender transition and lived as a transgender man.

Chaz Bono, previously known as Chastity Bono, had undergone gender transition surgery in 2010 and had since been living his life as a man. Being Chaz captured the struggles and triumphs of his personal journey and also highlighted how his transition impacted his relationships with friends, family, and the public.

In the show's premiere episode, Chaz set out to organize his official coming-out party, an event that was attended by several celebrity guests, including his mother Cher. The show also delved into Chaz's daily life and the challenges he faced in dealing with dysphoria, a condition where an individual experiences discomfort or distress due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth.

Throughout the series, Chaz underwent several procedures to fully transition into a man, including hormone therapy and chest reconstruction surgery. The show also highlighted how he battled with body image issues and grappled with the fear of not being accepted in society.

Being Chaz also explored his romantic life as he navigated the dating scene as a transgender man. Chaz was in a relationship with his girlfriend Jennifer Elia, whom he had been dating for over six years at the beginning of the show. The series showcased how their love for each other remained strong despite the challenges and obstacles they faced as a couple.

The show was also focused on breaking the stigma surrounding the transgender community and educating people about the challenges that transgender people face on a day-to-day basis. Chaz used his platform to raise awareness about transgender-related issues and encourage acceptance and empathy towards the transgender community.

Being Chaz received mixed reviews from viewers and critics. Some praised the show for being a powerful platform for transgender representation and education, while others criticized it for not doing enough to address the intersectional challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

The show aired its final episode on December 18, 2011, and was followed by a documentary titled 'Becoming Chaz' that chronicled Chaz's gender transition story. Becoming Chaz premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and won the audience award for best documentary.

In 2012, Chaz also appeared on the 13th season of the TV show Dancing with the Stars, which he said was a way to further promote his message of transgender awareness and representation.

Overall, Being Chaz was a groundbreaking series that highlighted the struggles and triumphs of a transgender man, and acted as a powerful tool for education and understanding about the transgender community.