Caitlyn Jenner has been honoured with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
The former Olympic athlete, previously known as Bruce Jenner, was honoured with the award following her coming out as transgender in June.
"As athletes, how you conduct your lives, what you say, what you do, is absorbed and observed by millions of people, especially young people," Caitlyn told the audience.
"I know I'm clear with my responsibility in going forward, to tell my story the right way, for me. To keep learning, to do whatever I can to reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed, how trans people are treated. Then more broadly, to promote a very simple idea: accepting people for who they are and accepting people's differences.
"My plea to you tonight is to join me in making this one of your issues as well."
Caitlyn made it clear her recent struggle pales in comparison to some things other members of the transgender community experience.
"They're getting bullied, they're getting beaten up, they're getting murdered, they're committing suicide," Caitlyn said.
"If you want to call me names, go ahead, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with who they are, they shouldn't have to take it.
"They deserve your respect and from that respect comes more empathetic communities."
Caitlyn's family members were in the audience supporting her, including her daughters Kendall, Kylie, son Brody, mother Esther, sister, and stepdaughters Kim, Kourtney and Khloé Kardashian.
She thanked her relatives for their support throughout her process of becoming female.
"You guys have given so much back to me, I am so grateful to have you in my life."
Caitlyn introduced herself to the world when she appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair a few weeks after an in-depth interview with American journalist Diane Sawyer aired.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented annually to individuals whose contributions "transcend sports".
Watch highlights of Caitlyn accepting her award.
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