In her first official public appearance since debuting on the cover of Vanity Fair, 65-year-old Caitlyn Jenner teared up while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPYs ceremony in Los Angeles.
Looking elegant in a floor-length long-sleeved white gown from Versace, with her hair styled in soft curls, the reality star and former Olympian thanked her family for their support during her journey.
“My biggest fear … was that I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids,” she said on stage.
“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,” she continued, breaking down in tears.
Caitlyn also heaped special praise on her mother Esther – who was looking on proudly in the audience – for teaching her how to act with courage. Also supporting Caitlyn at the ESPYs were her children Kendall, Kylie, Brandon and Brody Jenner, as well as her stepdaughters Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian.
Kim Kardashian West shared this image of the family supporting Caitlyn at the ESPYs. Image: Instagram
As well as thanking her family, Caitlyn called on her fellow athletes to use their influence to promote a powerfull message of acceptance.
“I know I’m clear with my responsibility going forward to tell my story the right way for me,” she said.
“To do whatever I can to reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed, how trans people are treated, and then more broadly, to promote a very simple idea – accepting people for who they are.”
