Since Chaz Bono was announced as a cast member for the 13^th season of Dancing With the Stars, he has been the target of transphobic commentators spewing hate through cyberspace. The attacks have sent legions of fans rushing to his defense and Advocate.com reports that Bono’s mother (and gay icon) Cher has added her powerful pipes to the cause.

In a series of messages via the diva’s Twitter account, Cher called upon her fans to lend support and insisted that, despite the hateful comments being hurled at her son, the majority of viewers will love him.

Her first tweet read, “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 followed with, "I support him no matter what he chooses 2do! God! will there always be haters! It took COURAGE 2 do dwts ! TG Chaz has an Unlimited supply."

Then came, "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!"

Finally, she tweeted, "bet VAST MAJORITY of People will LOVE CHAZ on DWTS ! & it's took Fkg Guts 2! Chaz isn't exactly the "Gotta Dance Gotta Dance" kinda Guy."

Cher’s call to arms and the love of the LGBT community have apparently kept Chaz in good spirits. Earlier he posted a reply to the controversy on his own Twitter account saying, “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I received from everyone. Thanks so much. I don't listen to the haters, but embrace the love.”

Meanwhile, SheWired readers have rallied behind Bono, leaving comments on our Facebook and articles in droves to combat the prejudicial comments and share how Bono has inspired them:

Amazing how people don't realize if they don't approve or accept what's on the boob tube that they have the option of not watching at all or CHANGING the damn channel!

I think it's amazing how brave Chaz is being out there and how brave it is for ABC to ask him onto the show!

I forgot the majority of the white, straight, middle class still think they have some sort of Supremacy! - I hope ABC gains more viewers through Chaz, and loses only those small minded individuals that need to get a life!!

I don watch this show..ever...but i think we will just need to watch and vote because those bigots will have it out for him. My fiance is trans and its just sad how closed minded and disgusting people can be to other human beings. Next.

Someone on message board said they didn't want to have to explain sex changes to their 7 and 9 year old watching the show... wow, what about the scantily clad (assumed) heterosexual dancers, do they think there will be banter about gender reassignment AND at 8pm shouldn't their kids be in bed anyway? I take issue with parents keeping their kids in the dark, teaching intolerance and letting them stay up to watch adult themed prime time television [gasp!]

I want to say BRAVO to ABC, Dancing With the Stars, and to Chaz! I think that those of us who support a transgender man dancing on the show need to post positive remarks. I, personally, admire a person for living their authentic self, and support a person's decision to do so. And then, to be out about it as Chaz is, plus going on a major TV show that is as athletic as DWTS, Chaz deserves much more than our respect!

This is a good step for the transgendered community. It reminds me of all the backlash that Ellen got when she come out. Look at her now and how many others were able to follow in her footsteps.

most of us don't understand the biological changes an embryo goes through before maturity.we take for granted that the baby will have five fingers and toes, two eyes, a brain etc, but more often than we know, the process goes haywire and we get babies with no arms, legs, fingers, missing organs,so incorrect gender has been addressed by different methods over the years. it is not the person's fault, so dump your hate, and try some sympathy.peter.

I'm offended myself by the hate from the right wing conservatives. Chaz is not a threat to your home or to society! Let him have fun and dance if he wants to. If you don't want to watch, don't. But stop throwing your hate and bigotry in our faces. I personally don't want my children exposed to the kind of hate and intolerance you exhibit. I would rather my children be exposed to love and tolerance for fellow human beings. Looking forward to watching DWTS and supporting Chaz! He is probably a nice guy. Leave him alone and keep your hatred in your own living rooms and off the comment sections of blogs. Better yet, spend a little more time in church. Maybe you will learn God doesn't hate!

Looking forward to seeing Chaz dance this season and wishing him the best!! At least he has the guts to be himself despite what a few insignificant and irrelevant close minded people have to say about him . Why do some people put themselves on their own self righteous pedestals and just to enjoy tearing others apart?? Get over yourselves! All those small minded and hard hearted bigots tearing Chaz down can just choose to watch something else. Please haters - just watch anything else...but just please go away. Personally, I don't really care to hear their hate talk and don't think what they have to say is important anyway. Let the rest of us enjoy the cast and cheer Chaz on! Hate people just go away...

Add your thoughts to the discussion in the comments below.

Follow SheWired on Twitter!

Follow SheWired on Facebook!