The decision to bestow this award on Jenner sparked criticism among some sections of the US media, but the overriding feeling was one of pride and stirring emotion as the Olympic athlete remained composed during her acceptance speech wearing a white Atelier Versace gown and warmly joking about the beautification process for women for red carpet events.
Jenner accepted the award, not on behalf of herself, but on behalf of all transgender people facing typecasting and criticism the world over. She lay down in stark but realistic terms, the dangers and hardships that many young trans people face. She said of these kids, “At this very moment around the world there are kids out there trying to come to terms with being transgender. They’re getting bullied, they’re getting beaten up, they’re getting murdered, they’re committing suicide. If you want to call me names, make jokes and doubt my intentions, go ahead because the reality is I can take it. But for thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the reality of who they are they shouldn’t have to take it.”
Jenner was honoured with the award that acknowledges bravery in the field of athletics by television broadcaster ESPN – but we all know she’s standing bravely for something much, much more. She is striving to change the worlds’ attitude towards trans people, saying, “Trans people deserve something vital, they deserve your respect. From that respect comes a more compassionate community.”
ESPN and ESPY co-producer Maura Mandt defended their decision to hand out the award to Jenner, saying, “I think Caitlyn’s decision to publicly come out as a transgender woman and live as Caitlyn Jenner displayed enormous courage and self-acceptance. [This] is what the Arthur Ashe courage award is about: somebody from the athletic community who has done something that transcends sport”, said Mandt.
In April this year, Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce who won a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal for the decathlon) Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover for the first time in a courageous public journey with the support of his family. While she delivered the emotive and stirring speech, her mother, sister and daughters Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Kylie proudly looked on in tears.
Remaining composed throughout her speech, Caitlyn started to fight back the tears as she spoke directly to her beloved family saying, “You guys have given so much back to me. I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
