It's a Woman's Privilege to Change Her Mind...

Up to a point.

Cher isn't losing a daughter -- she's gaining a son.

Chastity Bono, 40, the only child of Sonny and Cher, plans to undergo surgery -- to become a man.

"Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity," spokesman Howard Bragman said yesterday.

Chastity Bono came out as a lesbian in 1995.

"I'm sure it hasn't been an easy 40 years . . . in a body that felt totally alien," said Candace Gingrich, an official with the Human Rights Campaign and the daughter of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. (From the New York Post.)

Golly, I hate to be a naysayer but I can't help wonder if gender identity number three will really be the charm for this poor beleaguered soul. And before Chastity/Chaz plunks down a lot of money for a prosthetic device and attendant surgery, (s)he might want pay to heed to the words of this ditty by the Lovin' Spoonful, a '60s phenom that enjoyed success about the same time her/his mommy and daddy did.