Chaz Bono Threatens to Sue 'National Enquirer' over Headline

ABC News(LOS ANGELES) -- Chaz Bono is upset over a National Enquirer headline claiming the recent Dancing with the Stars contestant will die within four years because of health issues related to his gender transition.

Chaz's attorney, Dina LaPolt, has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the publication demanding a retraction and apology for the headline, according to E! News.

"This is absolutely outrageous, false, fabricated, and highly defamatory," wrote LaPolt, calling the headline "salacious and inflammatory" and saying it was "crafted for the malicious purpose of discriminating against our client's gender and sexual orientation."

LaPolt expressed concern about the Enquirer's assertions that "obesity, testosterone supplements, and high suicide rates among transgender people all increase Chaz's risk of an early death."

LaPolt also took issue with Patrick Wanis, cited by the Enquirer as a "transgender specialist," which LaPolt says is "highly misleading and blatantly false...(as) he is not a physician and has no specialty in transgender health issues."

The letter, sent last week, said Bono will pursue legal action if the Enquirer did not retract its story within 24 hours.

An Enquirer representative said the publication is sticking to its story.

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