Chaz Bono’s name, gender change official

Chaz Bono is officially a man and has his new name.

A judge on Thursday granted a request to change the name and gender of the 41-year-old writer, activist and reality TV star. Bono was born a girl to Sonny Bono and Cher and underwent a gender-change operation last year.

Bono was represented in court by attorney Kristina Wertz of the Transgender Law Center. Wertz says the judge’s order is an important step in Bono’s transition and will allow him to reflect his new identity on a variety of official documents.

Wertz says in a statement, “Chaz couldn’t be happier.”