Caitlyn Jenner Honored with Arthur Ashe Courage Award at 2015 ESPYs

Caitlyn Jenner stepped out in a beautiful white wrap Versace dress last night at the 2015 ESPY awards. The reality star was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

U.S soccer player Amy Wambach first introduced Jenner with a montage of her transformation journey and then presented her with the prestigious award. The entire crowd gave Jenner a standing ovation including the whole Kardashian/Jenner family who was there for support. Every member of the family dressed in all black.

ESPY’S

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Accepting her award, Jenner says,

“Wow, I have to talk after that? Thank you so much. It is so wonderful to be here tonight. The last few months have been a whirlwind of so many different experiences and emotions. But to tell you the truth, it seems like every time I turn around in life, I’m putting myself in these high-pressure situations—competing in the games, raising a family, but I’ve never felt more pressure than I have in my life than I have in the last couple of months. Picking out this outfit—OK girls, I get it. You gotta get the shoes, the hair, the make-up… It was exhausting. And next, the Fashion Police. Please be kind on me, I’m new at this.”

She went on to state she had never met another transgender person until these last couple of months and stressed the importance of accepting and respecting everyone you meet. Jenner also encouraged everyone who was listening to join her “in making this one of your issues as well…Learn as much as you can about another person.”

After thanking fellow transgender people, Laverne Cox and Chaz Bono, as well as friend Diane Sawyer, Jenner took some time to thank her ever-loving family.

“Here comes the tough part, I’d like to thank my family. 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 able 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. And last but not least, my mother…I always thought that I got my courage and my determination from my dad who landed on Omaha beach and fought all the way through World War II. But you know, I’m realizing now mom, I think I got all of those qualities from you.”

ESPN recieved negative feedback for picking Jenner for this award but never back downed from their choice. Producer Maura Mandt told Sports Illustrated,

“I think Caitlyn’s decision to publicly come out as a transgender woman and live as Caitlyn Jenner displayed enormous courage and self-acceptance. Bruce Jenner could have easily gone off into the sunset as this American hero and never have dealt with this publicly. Doing so took enormous courage.”

Watch some of her acceptance speech here,

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