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Former Olympic champion and reality television star Bruce Jenner broke the silence on transitioning to a woman Friday, telling ABC's Diane Sawyer: "For all intents and purposes, I am a woman."

"I've been thinking about this day forever," a visibly emotional Jenner said.

"My brain is much more female than it is male," the 65-year-old replied, publicly stating for the first time what had been only rumored until now.

"I would say I've always been very confused with my gender identity," Jenner explained.

"I'm not gay. ...I've never been with a guy," Jenner said, explaining that gender identity was different than sexuality, and ultimately identifying as asexual.

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Jenner admitted to taking hormones in the 1980s, but stopped the transition after getting worried about public reaction.

How Jenner's family reacted to the interview

Of all the famous reality show brood, Jenner said stepdaughter Kim Kardashian has been "by far the most accepting," but it took some convincing from a surprising source.

Jenner said Kardashian credited her rapper husband Kanye West for turning her around by telling her: "I can be married to the most beautiful woman in the world, and I am. I can have the most beautiful little daughter in the world, and I have that. But I'm nothing if I can't be me. If I can't be true to myself, they don't mean anything."

During the interview, Jenner noted that stepdaughter Khloe Kardashian was the family member most reluctant to the change at the time, but her tweets during airing seemed to show she had come around.

Just finished watching the #BruceJennerInterview with the family. Bruzer, I'm soooo proud of you! Dads really are heros ️ — Khloé (@khloekardashian) April 25, 2015

Jenner's ex-wife and matriarch of the Kardashian clan, Kris Jenner, was not part of the interview, but showed her support after it aired.

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. — Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) April 25, 2015

The former couple's youngest daughter, Kylie Jenner, had showed support earlier in the day with an Instagram photo. After the interview aired, she tweeted that she would talk more about her feelings at a later time, but wanted people to know she was proud of her dad.

Understandingly, this has been very hard for me. You will hear what I have to say when I'm ready to but... — Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) April 25, 2015

..this isn't about me. I'm so proud of you, Dad. You are so brave. My beautiful Hero. — Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) April 25, 2015

Kylie's older sister Kendall Jenner posted a pair of short, but sweet notes of support.

I love you. — Kendall Jenner (@KendallJenner) April 25, 2015

so very proud of you, my hero. — Kendall Jenner (@KendallJenner) April 25, 2015

Jenner's oldest stepdaughter, Kourtney Kardashian, also chimed in.

Couldn't be a more proud daughter. With courage and bravery, let's change the world. I am honored to stand by Bruce's side and support him. — Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) April 25, 2015

How others reacted

During and after the interview, celebrities and notable advocates also tweeted their support for Jenner's decision to speak openly about the transition.

#BruceJennerABC Now that is bravery.️ — Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) April 25, 2015

nevertheless this is mind blowing. a revelation. and necessary and overdue. this is astonishingly brave. #BruceJenner. — Questlove Gomez (@questlove) April 25, 2015

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. #BruceJenner #Brave — jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) April 25, 2015

#BruceJenner we learn from you to be courageous, funny and to be our authentic self. With love and Go For It! — Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 25, 2015

BREAKING: Bruce Jenner comes out as the only interesting person in the Kardashian family — joe mande (@JoeMande) April 25, 2015

Bruce Jenner is a beautiful, brave human being. Sending him lots of love. He's saving lives and opening minds tonight. — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 25, 2015

IN-DEPTH

— Jillian Sederholm