Who's Your Mommy?

I am a tall person trapped in an average-sized woman's body. It's been very frustrating, especially when I bring things into a dressing room; they are always too long because I have never accepted my small stature and thus choose incorrect sizes. I have spent my life this way, and now that I am getting older and actually shrinking, the problem is worse. I need sympathy, a support group or surgery.

My situation is similar to that of Chaz Bono, daughter of former pop stars Sonny and Cher--and I bet Dad is spinning in his grave these days. Chaz is out there telling his/her story of transformation to all of us spineless shnooks in the TV, Internet, newspaper, magazine and radio audiences who just accepted their original bodies and genders, short stature and all.

It's actually an interesting story, and Chaz is actually a sweet and likable chap/chapette. But still, I wonder, in what way is she/he a man? She was born female and now, in adulthood, has had a double mastectomy, takes male hormones, wears men's clothing and is suddenly referred to as "he." How come--don't you need a penis to be considered a guy?

I also wonder how celebrities expose the most private parts of themselves this way. What is wrong with them--is it brain damage of some sort? I saw a documentary of Chaz when he was still being called Chastity getting his/her boobs removed, lying naked and flabby on the operating table with circles drawn in magic marker around the nipples, whereas I won't be filmed in a bathing suit.

The whole situation is pretty ironic, can we all agree, Cher-wise?