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Caitlyn Jenner To Receive Courage Award At ESPY Awards

Caitlyn Jenner To Be Honoured For Her Courage
Daniel Welsh
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Caitlyn Jenner is to be honoured with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPY Awards.

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The prize has previously been awarded to the likes of Mohammad Ali, Billie Jean King, and other sports figures whose achievements have “transcended sport”.

Caitlyn - who won a gold medal for the US in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympic Games, when she was still known to the public as Bruce - introduced herself to the world this week, via a new photo-shoot with Vanity Fair, and has now been announced as this year’s Arthur Ashe recipient.

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Caitlyn Jenner

She shared the news on her Twitter page on Tuesday night, joking that she wasn’t sure what she should wear to the ceremony, which will be held in July.

Speaking about the award, Caitlyn said: “However, being honored with this award, which is named after one of my heroes, is truly special. For the first time this July, I will be able to stand as my true self in front of my peers.”

Executive producer of the ESPY Awards, Maura Mandt, added that she hoped Caitlyn’s story can “not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces.”

Being awarded for her courage isn’t Caitlyn’s only big win in the past few days, though, and on Monday, she beat a record previously set by Barack Obama , by acquiring over a million Twitter followers in a matter of hours.

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Caitlyn tells her story in the latest issue of Vanity Fair, which goes on sale on 9 June.

Iconic Transgender Moments
Caitlyn Jenner Makes Her Debut On Vanity Fair(01 of10)
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On June 1, 2015, Caitlyn Jenner (formerly known as Bruce Jenner) made her debut on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. The issue followed her public interview with Diane Sawyer, in which she spoke openly about her transition and journey. (credit:Vanity Fair)
Chelsea Manning Comes Out(02 of10)
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Following her trial for leaking classified government documents, Chelsea Manning sent shockwaves through the nation when she announced her transgender identity and asked for the public's support. "As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me," Manning said in a statement. "I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible." (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
Carmen Carrera's Victoria Secret Petition(03 of10)
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"RuPaul's Drag Race" season three contestant and transgender model Carmen Carrera unexpectedly became the subject of a viral Internet petition in early November. The petition called for Victoria's Secret to hire the showgirl as the company's first transgender model in its annual fashion show. Though Victoria's Secret did not respond to the Carrera petition, the model has claimed that she will campaign to be included in next year's show. (credit:Chelsea Lauren via Getty Images)
McDonald's Supports Transgender Rights With Bathroom Message(04 of10)
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In light of recent controversy surrounding McDonald's treatment of the company's employees, one Washington franchise of the fast food chain impressively allowed transgender individuals to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. The letter read,
We respect the rights of all customers and employees. We believe all people must have access to safe and dignified bathroom facilities regardless of their gender identity or expression. Therefore, the following policy has been adopted for this restaurant at 1530 3rd Avenue ... Employees and customers may use any restroom that corresponds with and is based upon the gender identity they publicly and exclusively assert or express.
 (credit:Tumblr)
First Openly Transgender Character In Mainstream Comics(05 of10)
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DC Comic fans were introduced to Alysia in "Batgirl" #19 in early April, who went on to reveal that she is transgender during a conversation with Barbara Gordon (Batgirl). The move made Alysia not only the first DC Comics transgender character but the first transgender character in mainstream comics. (credit:DC Comics)
Transgender Teenage Couple Transitions Together(06 of10)
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Arin Andrews and Katie Hill warmed hearts around the world last summer with their unique and touching love story. The pair met at a trans support group, after each had begun the transitioning process, and fell in love. (credit:Barcroft Media)
Ari South Becomes First Openly Transgender Project Runway Contestant(07 of10)
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When Ari South first appeared on "Project Runway" season eight, the designer embodied a different name and different identity. When she returned to "Project Runway All Stars" in October, she was living as her authentic self and blazing through uncharted territory for transgender people both within -- and outside -- the fashion world. (credit:Courtesy of Lifetime)
Top Russian Lawyer Comes Out As Trans, Announces Presidential Campaign(08 of10)
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In wake of the pervasive climate of fear and violence plaguing LGBT Russians, top Russian lawyer Masha Best came out as both transgender and bisexual in protest of the country's institutionalized homophobia. Best later went on to announce her campaign for the Russian presidency in 2018. Here, Best poses nude in honor of the 2013 Transgender Day of Remembrance. (credit:Masha Best)
Arizona's Rights For Transgender Minors(09 of10)
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Other states also met these bills with resistance, with one Arizona lawmaker, John Kavanagh, attempting to push through legislation that would prosecute transgender people for using a public restroom if their appearance didn't match the listed gender on their identification. One local new station dubbed this the "Show Me Your Papers Before You Go Potty" bill. The backlash convinced the lawmaker to tone down the language of his bill, and put it on hold until next year. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
University Expels Transgender Student For 'Fraud'(10 of10)
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Domaine Javier, a nursing student at California Baptist University, revealed to the world that she was transgender in an MTV episode of "True Life." The university's response? Accusations of fraud followed by expulsion because Javier had given her gender as female on her admissions application. She went on to sue the institution. (credit:Courtesy of Domaine Javier)

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