Caitlyn Jenner accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs tonight with a nearly 10-minute acceptance speech that touched on her athletic career as Bruce Jenner, her fear of coming out as transgender to her family and her hopes for a future where trans people can feel comfortable in their own skin.
"If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids coming to terms with who they are, they shouldn't have to take it," Jenner said. "It's about what happens from here, it's not just about one person, its about thousands of people, it's not just about me, its about all of us, accepting one another. We're all different, that's not a bad thing, that's a good thing."
Jenner only choked up once during the speech:
"Here comes the tough part. I'd like to thank my family," Jenner said, wiping away tears as the camera panned to his Kardashian stepdaughters and his other children in the audience. "Now, the biggest fear I've always had in coming out was 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."
Kylie Jenner posted this photo, which includes all of Jenner's children, to Instagram.
Jenner's acceptance speech was preceded by a 13-minute long mini documentary about her life and career, which you can check out over at ESPN right now.
