There was hardly a dry eye in the house as Caitlyn Jenner made an emotional speech when she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s last night. Her message was one of acceptance and respect for transgender people, as she told the audience of her personal struggles:

This transition has been harder on me than anything I can imagine,” she said.

“I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids,”

She went on to talk about the shattering effects bullying and abuse towards transgenders has had, and with a voice full of humility:

If you want to call me names, make jokes and doubt my intentions, go ahead because the reality is I can take it, but for thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the reality of who they are they shouldn’t have to take it.”

Her heartfelt speech got a deserved standing ovation. I’d like to say it was unanimous but it seems there’ll always be someone ready to pipe up with a bit of casual bigotry. This time it was boxing champ Evander ‘The Real Deal’ Holyfield, who commented:

I just know that’s Bruce Jenner and I’ll leave it at that.”

Cheers for that Evander.

(sources: ABC and Channel 24]