Caitlyn urges better for trans people
The Olympic gold medallist and reality star formerly known as Bruce Jenner was presented with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at ESPN’s annual ESPY’s ceremony honouring excellence in sport.
Cheered on by her family, including daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner and stepdaughters Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian, the decathlon champion implored viewers to help improve the lives of transgender people.
Jenner, 65, shared her new identity and appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair in early June.
After receiving a standing ovation from the crowd in the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, she said:
“The last few months have been a whirlwind of so many different experiences and emotions but to tell you the truth, it seems that every time I turn around in life I am putting myself in these high pressure situations — competing in the Games, raising a family — but I’ve never felt more pressure than over the last couple of months, picking out this outfit.
“Ok girls, I get it, you have to get the shoes, the hair, the make up, the whole process was exhausting.”
Dressed in a pale pink, floor-length gown, she implored the fashion critics: “Please be kind on me, I’m new at this.”
She drew attention to the recent deaths of two young trans people, one who had been murdered and one who had committed suicide, saying:
“Every time something like this happens people wonder could it have been different if spotlighting this issue with more attention could have changed the way things happened.
“We will never know but if there is one thing I do know, it is the power of the spotlight. Sometimes it gets overwhelming but with attention comes responsibility.”
