Chaz brushes off criticism over 'DWTS'

Chaz Bono, the first transgender contestant on "Dancing With the Stars," says he is taking criticism of his upcoming appearance in stride.

"I think it's a much bigger deal to everybody else than it is to me." he told "Good Morning America" co-anchor George Stephanopoulos Tuesday.

"All these ideas that children shouldn't watch me, I'm going to be confusing, all this stuff -- it's crazy."

Bono, 42 -- who was born as daughter Chastity to singer Cher and Sonny Bono -- has spoken openly about his sex change, which a California court finalized along with his new name in May 2010.

"I've gone on many shows and talked about transgender issues and [appeared in] a documentary and wrote a book," he said.

"But on this show, I'm just going to be dancing."

Criticism has come from groups such as the American Family Association and OneMillionMoms.com.

OneMillionMoms.com has called for a viewer boycott to express displeasure with both Bono and gay fellow contestant Carson Kressley ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy").

"People who don't have gender dysphoria aren't going to catch it by watching me dance on television," Bono said.

"For all the teens and kids out there with gender dysphoria," he added, "I think it's going to have a really positive impact.

"I know that when I was growing up, if I had seen a show like this, with somebody like me, it would have made all the difference in the world in my life."