Over the past few years tabloids have reported on Bruce Jenner’s changing appearance, rumored cross-dressing, a shaved Adam’s apple and painted nails increasing speculation that he* is transgender. Jenner came to fame after winning the gold medal in the decathlon in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, setting a world record and making him an American hero in the process. In 2007 he reentered the public eye, through his appearance on the hit reality TV show “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” which stars his now ex-wife Kris Jenner and their blended family.

On April 24, 2015 in a highly publicized interview with Diane Sawyer, Jenner finally addressed the rumors and media speculation surrounding his gender. “I’m a woman,” he declared. In the simply titled “The Interview,” Jenner spoke for over an hour about his gender dysmorphia, which he has struggled with throughout his entire life, causing tension and hurt. He also explained his decision to come out so late in life saying, “I just can’t pull the curtain any longer. I’ve built a nice little life, I just can’t—again, Bruce lives a lie. She is not a lie. I just can’t do it anymore.”

Transgender visibility and awareness has increased in the past few years. Due in part to the popularity of actress Laverne Cox, a transgender woman, featured on Netflix’s popular show “Orange is The New Black”, and the growing number of reported and media covered transgender teenage suicides. Last December an Ohio transgender female Leelah Alcorn committed suicide. Penning a note ending, “My death needs to mean something … Fix society. Please.” Blake Brockington, who became nationally known after becoming North Carolina’s first transgender Homecoming King, was a strong advocate for the community, but also later committed suicide. These events highlight the alarmingly high rates of suicides among transgender youth. The Youth Suicide Prevention Program claims that more than 50% of transgender youth will have attempted to commit suicide on at least one occasion before their 20th birthday.

Many are applauding Jenner’s decision and courage in revealing his gender struggles, seeing his announcement and now known gender identity, as a step in a greater acceptance of transgender people and more visibility for the community. In direct regards to the transgender community Jenner said “I would like to work with this community to get this message out. They know a lot more than I know … I am not a spokesman for the community.” Mara Keisling, a transgender advocate, sums up the exponential importance of Jenner’s declaration for the transgender community saying, “ I think Bruce Jenner did us proud. All over America, there were family members who were saying, ‘Now I get it. Now I’m going to be better to my kid, my brother, my parent.’ There were transgender people all over the country watching this who … maybe said, ‘There’s hope for me.’”

*While Jenner does identify as a woman, he has asked to be referred to with male pronouns [he/him] and by the name “Bruce” until “She” can make her official debut.