Olympian Bruce Jenner stunned the world this week when she revealed her transition to Caitlyn.
But for thousands of Americans, including here in central Ohio, living as transgender is a much more private process.
Lana Moore is one person who said she struggled for decades with it but is happy to see transgender being brought into the spotlight and hopes others won’t have to face those struggles.
Moore knew she what felt on the inside didn’t match the outside.
“I hit it from everyone,” she said. “I was constantly struggling internally, questioning myself and feeling guilty like I was being bad.”
She was born Larry and had a twin sister. When she was home alone, she put on her sister’s dresses.
Moore chose the career path of becoming a firefighter. As an adult she married and had two kids.
"My spouse knew about my cross dressing and she was supportive of that,” Moore said. “Neither one of us ever thought that I would go all the way so to speak.”
Moore began her transition around age 48 as she decided it was time to be herself.
“It’s the way I am, who I am,” she said. “It’s not an act, it was an act before.”
Words echoed by Caitlyn Jenner as she very publically explained her transition, something Moore was thrilled to see.
“I’m happy the world is now talking more about it,” she said. “I want kids today to not have to go through that and feel that alone like I did.”
Moore was afraid of the reaction she would receive in the fire department but she said it has been nothing but love and support from the top down.