Tonight at the ESPYs, Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner Caitlyn Jenner (designated male at birth as Bruce Jenner) gave
an inspirational speech on the realities that trans people face. She was introduced by none other than USWNT World Cup winner hero Abby Wambach.
Tom Lutz at The Guardian:
Caitlyn Jenner highlighted the challenges transgender people experience as she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night.
She said that “the last few months have been a whirlwind” before laying out in stark terms the dangers many young trans people face. “They’re getting bullied, they’re getting beaten up, they’re getting murdered, they’re committing suicide,” said Jenner.
She added: “If you want to call me names … go ahead, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it.”
Jenner said she hoped her story could change attitudes to trans people. “They deserve your respect and from that respect comes more empathetic communities,” she said.
[...]
Another notable member of US sports’ LGBT community, Abby Wambach, presented Jenner with her award. Wambach helped USA to victory in the Women’s World Cup earlier month, and her kiss with her wife after the game became one of the enduring images of the final. Before presenting the award, Wambach said Jenner had brought attention to “people who truly need it” and that her story could help make America “a model for a better world”.
German Lopez at Vox:
Jenner called on the ESPYS' assembled audience and viewers to help bring awareness to trans issues. "My plea to you tonight is to join me in making this one of your issues as well," she said. "How do we start? We start with education."
In particular, Jenner focused on some of the disparities trans people face. And she's right: In many ways, trans people are much worse off than other Americans.
[...]
Families shun and even disown children over their gender identity and expression. Some people are denied jobs and homes because they don't conform to gender norms — which is legal for employers and landlords to do in 31 states. In social settings and media, trans people are commonly portrayed as purposely deceptive individuals and even sexual predators who want to trick or trap others into sleeping with them.
Jason Wells at BuzzFeed News:
In Caitlyn Jenner’s first major public appearance since transitioning, the Olympic gold medalist who became a role model for a generation of athletes took the stage at ESPN’s annual awards Wednesday to assume the role yet again, only this time, for a different community.
Accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, Jenner noted how she has repeatedly put herself in, and overcome, high-pressure challenges over the years.
“But this transition has been harder on me than anything I could have imagined,” she said. “For that reason alone, trans people deserve something vital, they deserve your respect.”
Jenner used the platform of her highly anticipated appearance at ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards to introduce herself as perhaps the most well-known and public advocate for greater acceptance of trans people since her big debut on the cover of Vanity Fair in June.
Amanda Michelle Steiner and Noelene Clark at Entertainment Weekly:
Caitlyn Jenner accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs on Wednesday, and used the spotlight to advocate for the trans community.
“The people out there wondering what if this all about, whether it’s about courage or controversy or publicity, … it’s not just about one person,” the Olympian said in her acceptance speech. “It’s about all of us accepting one another. We’re all different. That’s not a bad thing. That’s a good thing.”
Jenner, 65, was presented with her award by U.S. women’s soccer team star Abby Wambach, who shared statistics showing that transgender people experience bullying, assault, homelessness, and suicide at a higher rate than the general public. “Let’s talk about a way that we can make our country better,” Wambach said. “Let’s talk about an issue that not enough of us stand up for.”
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She also called on athletes to use “the power of the spotlight” to help “reshape the landscape” for trans people by setting an example of respect and acceptance. “Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but with the attention comes responsibility,” Jenner said.
Jenner thanked her family; journalist Diane Sawyer who conducted her coming-out interview; and her mother Esther, whom she credited with teaching her courage and determination.
Wambach introducing Jenner with the honor:
Video Introduction to Caitlyn Jenner winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, via @SDKSTL's Twitter:
Her entire speech, from the 2015 ESPYs on ABC:
Of course transphobic bigots aren't happy about her winning the award, but that's the main reason why she was deserving of winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award (alongside Leah Still, Lauren Hill, and/or Stuart Scott).