Bruce Jenner might be one of the greatest Olympic athletes in living history, but in recent years he's only been known for his marriage to Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner and subsequent appearances on their reality show. Now he's about to represent so much more.

Bruce JennerBruce Jenner becomes a hero for the LGBT community

While Jenner's not the first transgender person to become a part of the showbiz industry, he is creating a landmark moment in the history of celebrity by having his entire transition into a woman broadcast in an eight-part series that will no doubt help to eradicate remaining social stigmas surrounding gender dysphoria. And we can't help but praise the man on his sensationally brave move.

Having lived with the uncertainty of his gender identity since childhood (not helped, no doubt, by the fact that he has always been attracted to women), Jenner is finally taking a step forward in his life by completing who he has always desired to become. Not only this, but he will be unveiling his transformation for the first time in a documentary series on July 27th 2015 on E!. He currently chooses to identify as male outwardly until the series takes place, but admitted quite plainly in an interview with Diane Sawyer, 'For all intents and purposes, I'm a woman'.

He joins the positive movement of the showbiz industry in normalising transgender issues, something that fellow transgender woman Laverne Cox - star of 'Orange Is The New Black - knows all about, having recently posed nude for Allure magazine. Other famous transgender women include 'The Matrix' co-director Lana Wachowski, model Amanda Lepore and former Miss Universe Canada contestant Jenna Talackova, with Cher and Sonny Bono's son Chaz Bono as one of the world's most notable transgender men.

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Gender issues are also being explored in TV and film; Jared Leto won an Oscar for his role as Rayon in 'Dallas Buyers Club' and Eddie Redmayne is set to portray one of the first subjects of gender reassignment surgery in 'The Danish Girl'. Possibly something that connects to Bruce Jenner's story more, though, is Netflix series 'Transparent' - a show about a previously married father of three who undergoes his transition at a later stage of his life.

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The reason why Jenner is such a positive icon in the whole concept is just exactly what he's managed to achieve while struggling with his identity. He broke records after winning gold for the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics and he's managed to raise a successful family; also becoming a supportive stepfather for Rob, Khloé, Kourtney and Kim Kardashian. He's also putting the message out there that it's never too late to achieve your dreams, no matter how big a step you might have to take.

People of all walks of life are rallying around Jenner as he prepares for a huge milestone in his life. Both of his daughters have left heartwarming messages on Twitter, with Kylie Jenner posting, 'Woke up still in awe... I've never been more proud of you, Dad!!!!!!' and Kendall Jenner saying, 'so very proud of you, my hero.'

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More tributes came from Lady Gaga ('Let's empower people like Bruce all over the world by being loving & not mean'), Miley Cyrus ('I LOOOOVE LOOOVE LOOOVE Bruce Jenner!!!!!!!'), Ariana Grande ('bruce jenner is beautiful') and Jimmy Fallon ('One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. #BruceJenner #Brave').

Bruce Jenner, we salute you!