According to The Sun, boxer Rob Newbiggin has decided to undergo a sex change operation. Rob Newbiggin has revealed to a number of media outlets that he was born with the physical characteristics of a man, but due to high levels of estrogen (a female hormone) in his body, his gender could not be classified as a man or woman. Rob Newbiggin says that he was born "intersexual" in the United States in 1964 and abandoned by his South American parents. After living in a number of foster homes, he was finally adopted by a Canadian couple.

Rob Newbiggin says that since revealing his plans to undergo a sex-change operation, he has been abandoned by many of his friends and has decided to move out of Southport - a town that he loves - because it has become too emotionally uncomfortable for him to continue to live there. He is deeply saddened by his friends' lack of support and understanding.

Once Rob Newbiggin's sex change operation is complete (he will have to take female hormones and undergo a psychological evaluation before surgery) he hopes to get a license to continue boxing as a woman. When the transformation is complete, he will go by the name Mercedes.

The Rob Newbiggin sex-change story brings Chastity Bono to mind. In case you may not know, Chastity Bono is the daughter of the legendary singer-actress Cher and the late Sonny Bono. It has been reported in multiple news outlets that Chastity Bono has decided to live as a man and started the sex change process months ago. When the process is complete Chastity Bono will become Chaz Bono.

There have been no reports that I know of, however, that indicate that Chastity Bono's friends have been anything but supportive of her decision to become a man.

"Matrix" co-director and producer Larry Wachowski is also reportedly in the process of undergoing a sex-change operation. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton posted pictures on his website recently that appear to show Larry Wachowski looking very much like a woman.

Rob Newbiggin's situation has forced me to honestly think about how I would feel if someone close to me decided to undergo a sex change operation.