Chastity Bono is a name that instantly conjures up different things to different people.  For some, her name is synonymous with championing gay rights through her first publication, a book about coming-out, Family Outing, to her prominent position as GLAAD’s Entertainment and Media Advisor.  For others, her name sparks a memory of a prominent congressman’s daughter taking an act to congress on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, lobbying for Bill Clinton and against the notorious Republican “Defensive Marriage Act.”  And for still more, she will always be remembered from “The Sonny and Cher Show” as the daughter of music’s most famous couple.  Named after the title character her mother portrayed in a film by the same name, Chastity is as unique as her name suggests.

The most common question asked of Chastity is the obvious one: What was life like growing up with Sonny & Cher as your parents?  She explains, “To be honest, I thought my childhood was a perfectly normal existence.  I was just like any other kid, not having anything else to compare to my own experiences. They weren’t ‘Sonny & Cher’ to me – they were just my mom and dad, same as anybody else’s.”

Chastity attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York when she was 14-years-old.  She went on to graduate from the famed Performing Arts High School in Manhattan, and turned to music for her first career instead of Acting. “It seemed like a natural progression for me, singing and songwriting, considering my family background.”

She hooked up with a fellow musician and formed the band Ceremony, in which she was lead singer and rhythm guitarist. The band was signed to Geffen Records in 1991.  After two years of writing and recording with some impressive industry veterans (including Diane Warren, Martin Briley and Crowded House’s Mark Hart), Ceremony delivered the album, Hang Out Your Poetry, and released the single, “Could’ve Been Love”.  Shortly after, the band broke up in 1994.

Having already been “outed” by a notorious tabloid in 1990, the dearth of gay celebrities at the time prompted her to publicly deny her sexuality and “hide even further back in the closet.”  She had first talked with national gay publication, The Advocate about “coming out” while still a part of Ceremony, but chose not to do what she thought would be perceived as a band publicity stunt. 

In 1995, Chastity was asked to serve as a writer-at-large for The Advocate and found comfort in her peers, allowing her to officially “come out” that same year – and the course of her life took a dramatic turn.

When the Human Rights Campaign wanted to take a gay-rights act before congress, who better than Chastity Bono, gay daughter of a prominent celebrity U.S. Congressman to spearhead the way?  Following this, the HRC tapped her to become the Spokesperson for “National Coming Out Day.” Since all of this happened during an election year (1996), Chastity found herself campaigning for Bill Clinton and against the “Defensive Marriage Act,” all on behalf of the HRC.  “I never expected I would have a career in gay politics.  It just all played out that way so naturally.  It was thoroughly fulfilling to me – personally and professionally.”

The following year, 1997, Chastity was offered the position of “Entertainment Media Director” for GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), incorporating her insider’s knowledge of showbiz with her current gay advocacy.  She served as a behind-the-scenes adviser on film and television productions to ensure accurate portrayals of gay characters and their situations. 

Her success at GLAAD was highlighted with her spearheading the campaign behind Ellen’s famous “Puppy” episode.  “This was an absolutely groundbreaking event.  Never before had an actress and her character come out at the same time.”  And since Ellen DeGeneres chose to speak only with Time and Oprah about her decision, Chastity was the one to do all the press for the remainder of the media circus that surrounded the show.  She left the organization on a high note – just as the progressive-for-its-time Will & Grace hit the air.

During this time, she wrote the highly acclaimed book, Family Outing – “A comprehensive guide to the coming-out process... Bono shows guts by revealing her own story…There is no doubt family outing will be helpful” – New York Times Book Review.

Following her work with GLAAD, Chastity spent the next few years as a gay-rights lecturer on the public speaking circuit at colleges and universities across the United States.  She spoke on coming out and the media’s portrayal of gays and lesbians.

She also wrote her second book, The End of Innocence, published in 2002, chronicling her experiences in the music industry and the trials of the death of her partner.

Chastity Bono has weathered storms that would have drowned others, but has emerged a genuine survivor. Recently she appeared on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club 3 – “I had taken care of my emotional health; it was time to address my physical health.  Plus it was kind of fun to be back in front of the camera again!”

Her latest venture in front of the camera was for Logo’s Big Gay Sketch Show, which airs this February.  Chastity stars with Executive Producer Rosie O’Donnell in a parody of “Statler and Waldorf” from The Muppets. 

Chastity will also serve as the guest-speaker on Olivia’s Cruise for Our Cause this April, headlining with the legendary band Heart.  “I am very excited about working with Olivia.  They have done, and continue to do great work for our community,” she adds.

Chastity continues her work as a human rights activist and gay rights activist by lecturing at speaking engagements throughout the country.  She also has a screenplay in production at Here! Network.  She lives with her partner of three years, Jennifer Elia, and their six pets.