Caitlyn Jenner Talks 2015 ESPY Awards Speech, Having Her Chance "to Make a Difference in the World"

Recipient of Arthur Ashe Courage Award tells Robin Roberts what it meant to speak up for transgender community

By Rebecca Macatee Jul 16, 2015 4:11 PMTags
Caitlyn Jenner, ESPY AwardsKevin Winter/Getty Images

When Caitlyn Jenner accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPY Awards, she knew a lot of people would be listening to hear what she had to say.

In her emotional acceptance speech, the 65-year-old Olympic athlete spoke up for the transgender community, encouraging everyone to try and be accepting of one another. She also thanked her wonderfully supportive family, later admitting to Good Morning America's Robin Roberts that "it wasn't easy" to hold her emotions together when talking about her kids!

"My family have been so supportive of what's happening," said Caitlyn, whose six biological children (Kylie, Kendall, Brody, Brandon, Casey and Burt Jenner) and three stepchildren (Kim, Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian) were all in the audience cheering for her. "My kids are great. They're absolutely wonderful. I'm blessed to have just wonderful children."

It was with their support, Caitlyn told Robin, that she was able to go public with her transition. This marked a major milestone in LGBT history, and as Caitlyn bravely shared her own story, she empowered others like her and helped the general public understand, as she put it, that "we're all different. It's not a bad thing. It's a good thing."

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Caitlyn was put in a position to help make positive changes in the world and how we treat each other.

"I knew Arthur Ashe," she told Robin, who was honored with the award in 2013. "I sat out there in the audience on many occasions, and I thought to myself, 'Boy, What if someday I could make a difference in the world and do what I'm doing? I wonder if I'll ever get that?' Tonight was the night."

Don't miss the premiere of I Am Cait airing July 26 at 8 p.m. only on E!