Following an inspiring video about her journey, Caitlyn Jenner made history last night by being honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. In her first public appearance since her transition was on the cover of Vanity Fair, Jenner gave a message of hope and acceptance with an emphasis on young people who may be experiencing their own questions about their true selves.
With her mother, sister and children looking on, the speech was very well received with Jenner receiving a standing ovation but there were those who questioned the honor bestowed on Jenner as a publicity stunt. Unfortunately, there was also a transphobic tweet by Peter Berg, the creator of the TV series Friday Night Lights, which was reported by the Daily Beast. The Berg tweet criticized President Obama, as well as those who view Jenner as courageous.
The question remains as to whether Jenner can be as transformative a figure in the sports world a second time around. When Caitlyn, then Bruce, won the Olympic Decathalon, she inspired the nation in the early post Watergate era. In her speech Jenner said, “We are all different, that’s not a bad thing, that’s a good thing.” Will Caitlyn inspire the nation yet again as the transgender movement takes center stage in the LGBT civil rights movement?
