Watch Caitlyn Jenner's poignant ESPYs speech

While accepting the 2015 Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, Caitlyn Jenner spoke openly about her transition from male to female and the issues facing the transgender community, especially bullying and violence against teenagers.

"If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it," Jenner said Wednesday night. "But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it." Later, she added: "It's not just about one person, it's about thousands of people. It's not just about me, it's about all of us accepting one another. We're all different. That's not a bad thing. That's a good thing. While it may not be easy to get past the things you don't always understand, I want to prove it's absolutely possible if we only do it together."

In April, Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, announced she is transgender, and in late May made her debut as Caitlyn on the cover of Vanity Fair. A gold medal Olympian, she urged other athletes to use their fame to encourage acceptance. "Trans people deserve something vital," she said. "They deserve your respect." Watch the moving speech below. Catherine Garcia

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