Chastity Bono to speak at UA

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "I've been working in this (gay and lesbian rights) field for several years now." Chastity Bono author of Family Outing

Chastity Bono, daughter of entertainers Cher and the late Sonny Bono, will share her coming out experience Friday at the UA.

Bono, a representative for gay and lesbian rights, has devoted her life to helping young people and their families deal with homosexuality.

"I've been working in this field for several years now," Bono said in an interview Monday. "I'm pretty knowledgeable in that area."

Bono speaks informally across the country about her experiences and her 1998 book, Family Outing.

Her book deals with her growing up in a celebrity family as a lesbian, and includes a collection of coming out stories from various people. She calls it a "coming out guide" for people and their families.

Bono said she prefers interactive presentations as opposed to delivering a set speech.

In 1990, she was unintentionally "outed" by tabloid newspapers at a time when she wasn't ready to be public with her sexuality.

"At the time it was just scary," she said.

Although she grew up in a celebrity family, Bono said her experience with her family was typical of most coming out situations.

"I try to explain the best way and the best circumstances," she said, referring to how someone should come out.

Bono is also concerned with the portrayal of gay people in the media, and what she considers a common false perception of homosexuality. She said "debunking" that myth is her biggest goal.

She has been involved in many gay and lesbian rights organizations, including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, where she was the entertainment media director. She has been an activist, a columnist, a singer and a songwriter.

Bono acknowledges that many people have come to think of her as a lesbian role model, but said she can't think of herself that way.

"Yeah I'm fairly comfortable with it," she said. "You don't want people hanging on your every word - I'm just human."

Bono will be speaking at Gallagher Theatre on Friday from 10 a.m. until noon.