The 'I Am Cait' star teared up when thanking her children, including the Kardashian sisters and the Jenner sisters who were sitting in the audience, for their support throughout her transition.
- Jul 16, 2015
AceShowbiz - Caitlyn Jenner was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPY Awards held on Wednesday night, July 15. Caitlyn delivered an inspiring acceptance speech about transgender rights and she teared up when thanking her children sitting in the audience for their support throughout her transition.
"This transition has been harder on me than anything I could have imagined. Trans people deserve something vital - they deserve your respect," she shared. "I also want to acknowledge all the young trans athletes out there, getting to play sports as they truly are."
"You know, it is an honor to have the word courage associated with my life. But on this night another word comes to mind, and it's fortunate," the "I Am Cait" star said, "If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead. I can take it. But the reality is for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with who they are, they shouldn't have to take it."
She added, "So for the people out there wondering what this is all about, whether it's about courage or publicity, it's about what happens from here. It's not just about one person. It's about thousands of people. It's not just about me, it's about all of us accepting one another."
During the speech, Caitlyn thanked Diane Sawyer, saying she's "proud to have [Diane] as a friend." She then began tearing up as she thanked her family and her children Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Brody Jenner, Brandon Jenner, Burt Jenner as well as her stepchildren Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian who were sitting in the audience.
"I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids. ... I am so, so grateful to have all of you in my life," Caitlyn shared.
The Jenners and the Kardashians posed for pictures together backstage before Caitlyn's acceptance speech. They were all dressed in black. Kylie and Kendall took to Instagram to share the family photos. Kylie captioned it, "All black. had to change to match."
