There was tons of controversy surrounding ESPN’s decision to give Caitlyn Jenner the Arthur Ashe Courage award at this year’s ESPYS, but in the end she delivered a truly emotional speech that touched many.
The ESPYS introduced Caitlyn’s award with a stunning video, narrated by Mad Men star Jon Hamm.
In the video, Caitlyn discusses her struggle with coming to terms with her identity and how she made the choice to share her transition with the public.
“I was good at living my life for other people,” Caitlyn says in the video. “At what point in my life am I going to get sick of all the distraction and have to turn around and actually deal with me as a person and who I am. That was a long, long, long, long road.”The video, screened before Caitlyn took the stage to accept the award, also delves into her history as a world famous Olympic athlete. It also touches on the history of the fight for transgender rights and the groundbreaking moment Caitlyn made her debut on the cover of Vanity Fair.
She then delivered a ten-minute speech while accepting the award.
Abby Wambach of the U.S. soccer team that won the Women’s World Cup presented the trophy to Jenner, whose voice broke as she thanked members of her famous family, including stepdaughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Tears welled in the eyes of Jenner’s younger daughter, Kylie, whose sister, Kendall, wiped a tear from her eye.
“I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids,” said Jenner, wiping her eye.
The 65-year-old told the audience about trans teenagers who are bullied, beaten up, murdered or kill themselves. Jenner mentioned two people by name whose deaths particularly touched her.
“Trans people deserve something vital, they deserve your respect,” she said. “From that respect comes a more compassionate community.”
“If you want to call me names, make jokes and doubt my intentions, go ahead because the reality is I can take it,” she said. “But for thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the reality of who they are they shouldn’t have to take it.”
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