Jenner, 65, received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in one of her first public appearances as a transgender woman at the sports-centered award show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images 
 
 Jenner's other children were also at the ceremony for support: Burt Jenner, Cassandra Marino and Brandon Jenner, as well as daughter-in-law Leah Jenner and step-daughters Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, all seen in this photo posted by Kourtney: 
 
 Brody Jenner told ABC News tonight it was "such a courageous thing for her to come out" and said Caitlyn is "extremely happy." The Mount Saint Joseph freshman inspired thousands across the world. It’s not just about me, it’s about all of us accepting one another. That’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing.” 
 
 The superathlete said her one feat now would be to help encourage others to learn how to “accept people for who they are.” 
 
 COLUMN: OUT OF ESPYS CAITLYN JENNER HYPE, AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE COMES THROUGH ABOUT ACCEPTANCE 
 
 CAITLYN JENNER WEARS GORGEOUS VERSACE GOWN FOR HER ESPYS DEBUT 
 
 The crowd roared in support, which came after some early backlash over the selection of the Wheaties cereal icon who won decathlon gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics as Bruce Jenner and gained renewed fame on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” 
 
 Some said 19-year-old college basketball player Lauren Hill would have been a better choice for her brave battle against cancer and the $1.5 million she raised for cancer research before a brain tumor claimed her life in April. Lauren’s mom, Lisa Hill, shot down any controversy. A video ran, featuring highlights of that game and Lauren's voice.
– Caitlyn Jenner had never met another trans person until a few months ago, she revealed after receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards last night. She used her acceptance speech to make a plea for tolerance, saying, "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, it's a good thing," ABC News reports. She spoke of how difficult it had been dealing with her "situation" alone and warned of the abuse many young trans people face. "If you want to call me names ... go ahead, I can take it," she said, per the Guardian. "But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with who they are, they shouldn't have to take it." Jenner was a controversial choice for the award, with some saying it should have gone to Lauren Hill, the 19-year-old NCAA player who played—and scored—for Mount St. Joseph while dying of an inoperable brain tumor. Her game was chosen as the year's best moment and her parents accepted the award, with her mother saying Lauren "showed us through heart, determination, courage, strength, and faith that no matter what, it is possible to achieve your dreams," Cincinnati.com reports. Hill's mom tells the New York Daily News that her daughter, who died in April, would have hated the backlash against Jenner winning the award because "to be out there and do the transformation takes a lot of courage and a lot of guts."