On Friday, April 24, 2015, in an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC News, Bruce Jenner told America that he soon will be transitioning into a woman.
“For all intensive purposes, I am a woman ... I was not genetically born that way and as of now, I have all the male parts .... But I still identify as female", Jenner said.
Jenner feels as though he has a female soul. He acknowledged that it may be hard for people to understand what he is going through. There have been rumors that he is doing this transition for publicity, for reality TV show, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," in which he stars, but this is far from the truth.
“Have you any idea what I've been going through all my life? And I'm doing it for the publicity show? Oh my God", he said. “Sexuality is who you are personally attracted to, but gender identity is who you are in your soul".
Jenner self-identifies as a woman, and to this day has always been sexually attracted to women. He spent his whole life dressing as a man when he really didn't identify as one. Before he continues with his transition, Jenner wanted to make sure he wasn't hurting his kids. His son, Brandon, felt relief in that he was getting a better version of his dad. He and the other children were all excited to meet Jenner's female persona, known as “her".
Jenner believes that God put him on this earth to deal with this issue. His future may not be easy, but he will rest easy in knowing that he is being honest with himself and others. He is saying goodbye to people's perception of him -- he is not saying goodbye to himself.
I have grown up watching "Keeping Up With the Kardashians", and I have always admired Bruce Jenner's integrity. It takes immense amounts of courage to go on national television and explain to the world that your own perception of yourself is different from society's perception. Some people hide their true identity, and I think that is one of the biggest mistakes that someone can make.
Everyone is different for a reason, and Jenner definitely makes the world a better place by being himself. Since the interview aired on ABC, many celebrities, fans and family members have reached out to Jenner on social media. It is amazing to see everyone come to together to help him get through this difficult, yet exciting period in his life.
After the interview went live, his ex-wife, Kris Jenner, tweeted, “Not only was I able to call him my husband for 25 years and father of my children. I am now able to call him my hero".
Bruce Jenner reminds us all to strive to be the truest, best version of ourselves. His honesty has opened doors for others to be honest with themselves as well.
