Social media has been full of positivity after Bruce Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer — and with good reason. When the reality star said in his own words, “For all intents and purposes, I am a woman,” a historic moment happened on television and in the world. His bravery in coming forward to talk about issues that are so frequently ignored or put aside, his family's acceptance of him, and the visibility he brings to the trans community are just a few of the ways in which his story will prove influential in the grand scheme of things.
He also reinforced so many lessons we would all do well to learn: That gender identity and sexuality are “apples and oranges”; that being truly yourself is a goal for which to strive; that it's never too late to make the changes you need to be happy; and so, so many more. For the education we as a culture so desperately need to reach so many people, all in one go? That's truly commendable.
CNN's Brian Stelter tweeted a statement from National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Mara Keisling that nailed down exactly why Jenner's interview is so important. Said Keisling, “Stories like Jenner's help and change the narrative about who transgender people are. Millions of Americans now have a bridge to understanding the truth behind the struggles of being transgender in 2015 America.” The entire statement, along with more of Twitter's reactions driving home just how important this moment is, can be seen below:
Editor's Note: Per Jenner’s stated preference, Bustle will continue referring to Jenner using he/his pronouns for the time being. We will follow his lead and make any changes to this policy as needed in the future.
