(Reuters) — Caitlyn Jenner, former Gold medal winner Bruce Jenner, offered a heartfelt and emotional speech on Wednesday (Thursday, July 16, PHT) at the 2015 ESPY awards.
The one-time “World’s Greatest Athlete,” who came out earlier this year as transgender, received a standing ovation after being honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.
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“Well the real truth is that before just a few months ago I had never met anybody else who was trans, who was like me,” said Jenner, while on stage to receive the award.
“I had never met a trans person, never. Now, as you just saw, I dealt with my situation on my own, in private and that turned this journey into an already incredible education. It’s been eye opening, inspiring but also frightening. All across this country right now, all across the world at this very moment, there are young people coming to terms with being transgender. They’re learning that they’re different and they’re trying to figure out how to handle that.”
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The award named after the tennis legend, is bestowed on those whose courage and bravery goes outside the line of the playing fields.
Jenner, who earned a Gold medal for a record breaking win in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympic games, said she’s dedicated to helping raise awareness regarding challenges in the transgender community.
“I know I’m clear in my responsibility in going forward,” said Jenner. “To tell my story the right way, for me, to keep learning. To do whatever I can to reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed, how trans people are treated and then, more broadly, to promote a very simple idea. Accepting people for who they are, accepting people differently.”
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The 65-year-old reality TV star became emotional while thanking her family for their support.
“Here comes the tough part,” said Jenner. “I’d like to thank my family. Now, the biggest fear I’ve always had in coming out is, I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all, my family and my kids. I always wanted my children to be so proud of their dad for what he was bale to accomplish in his life. You guys have given so much back to me, you’ve given me so much support, I am so, so grateful to have all of you in my life. Thank you.”
In the audience supporting her were children Kylie, Kendall, and Brody Jenner and step daughters Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian.
She also paid an homage to her mother, Esther, who was also in the audience.
“I always thought that I got my courage and my determination from my dad, who landed on Omaha Beach; fought all the way through World War II; but you know what, I’m realizing now, mom, I think I got all those qualities from you.”
The former Olympian has become the most high-profile American to identify as transgender, making the announcement in an interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer in April.
