Emotional Jenner Calls For Trans Respect

 Jenner used her 10-minute speech at the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards (ESPYs) to urge people to accept others who are transgender.

"This transition has been harder on me than anything I can imagine," said Jenner, who revealed she was in the process of becoming a woman in an interview with Diane Sawyer in April.

The 1976 Olympic decathlon champion vowed "to do whatever I can to reshape the landscape of how transgender people are viewed and treated".

Abby Wambach of the US team that recently won the Women's World Cup presented the trophy for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to Jenner.

Her voice broke as she thanked members of her famous family, including stepdaughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian.

Jenner's daughters Kylie and Kendall were seen crying in the audience.

"I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids," said Jenner, who admitted that she had never met another transgender person until earlier this year.

Jenner also spoke about transgender teenagers, saying: "They are getting bullied, they are getting beaten up, they are getting murdered and they are committing suicide.

"The numbers are staggering but they are reality of what it is like to be trans today."

She added: "Trans people deserve something vital, they deserve your respect.

"From that respect comes a more compassionate community."

 She urged the crowd of football, basketball, baseball and hockey players to remember what they say and do is "absorbed and observed by millions of people, especially young people".

"My plea for you tonight is to join me in making this one of your issues as well," she said.

Many in the audience watched intently as Jenner spoke, with little reaction on their faces.

"If you want to call me names, make jokes and doubt my intentions, go ahead because the reality is I can take it," she said.

"But for thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the reality of who they are they shouldn't have to take it."

A video at the ceremony traced Jenner's life from the time she was known as Bruce Jenner to her current transition.

She was shown putting on make-up, buttoning her blouse and fastening the strap on her heels.
Jenner joked at one stage about her struggle to choose the cream gown she wore.

"OK, girls, I get it," she said, as the audience laughed.

"You get the shoes, the hair, the make-up, it was exhausting.

"And the fashion police, please be kind on me. I'm new at this."

Reaction on the red carpet was mixed.

Little League baseball pitcher Mo'ne Davis, 14, called Jenner brave, adding: "I know a lot of people give her a hard time about it but just for her family to give her that support is amazing."

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield said: "I just know that's Bruce Jenner and I'll leave it at that."