Cher Defends Son Chaz Bono Against Haters

When it was announced last week that Chaz Bono would appear as a contestant on the upcoming season of ABC's Dancing With The Stars, many fans lashed out with attacks against the network for featuring a transsexual on the highly rated dancing competition. Now, Bono's mom and gay icon Cher is firing back, coming to the defense of her only child with the late singer Sonny Bono.

Cher took to Twitter to alert fans to the transphobic comments filling up message boards and blogs and to rally support behind Bono. "Lovelies! Chaz is Being Viciously Attacked on Blogs & Message boards about being on DWTS!This is Still America right ? It took guts 2 do it," she tweeted Wednesday. "Can u guys check out sites & give him your support ? BTW …Mothers don't stop Getting angry with stupid bigots who fk with their children !"

Cher's retaliation came after fans publicly aired their disappointment with Bono's casting because of a perceived pro-gay, pro-liberal agenda on the part of ABC, not to mention rude expressions of disgust and hatred. [W]hen I heard that Chaz Bono was going to be on, I was sick. Not that I have anything personally again her/him, I just don't want that lifestyle choice continually flaunted in the media esp ABC," read one typical comment. Another read: "How low can this show sink. Well you have certainly addressed the gay commuity [sic]. Guess this will not be a family show any longer!!!! Lost my family!"

Bono, 42, who was born female as Chastity Bono, came out as a lesbian in 1995 and then underwent gender reassignment surgery in June 2009, changing his name to Chaz. Bono has remained in the public eye during his transition and has advocated for acceptance of the LGBT community. "Thanks for all your support mom. The haters are just motivating me to work harder and stay on DWTS as long as I possibly can," he tweeted on Sunday.