While attending theESPY Awardson Wednesday night,Caitlyn Jennerwas reminded of her 2015 speech at the awards show — which also marked herfirst major public appearancesince transitioning.
This time around, the 68-year-old former Olympian brought along her friend — and fellow trans woman —Sophia Hutchins.
“Sophia and I off to the ESPY’s,” Jenner captioned a smiling selfie of the two on Instagram. “Bringing back old memories of my first public outing. Life is good!”
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While Jenner and Hutchins have sparked relationship rumors before, a PEOPLE source previously revealed the pair aresimply good friendsamongst a group of trans women with whom Jenner socializes. (Hutchins transitioned in college and cited Jenner as an inspiration to theuniversity newspaper.)
“She still has no interest in dating,” the source added of Jenner. “It’s just not a priority.”
In 2015, Jenner attended the ESPY Awards to accept ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
In her speech, she made sure to acknowledge the “power of the spotlight” not only for its burden but also for its potential to reshape “the landscape for the trans community.”
“My plea to you tonight is to join me,” she said. “Trans people deserve something. They deserve your respect. And from that respect comes a more compassionate country, a more empathetic society and a better world for all of us.”
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Many of Jenner’s children were in the crowd that evening and were seen tearing up during the powerful moment, including Burt Jenner and Cassandra Marino from first wife Chrystie Crownover, Brandon andBrody Jennerfrom second wifeLinda Thompson, andKendallandKylie Jennerfrom third wifeKris Jenner. Jenner’s stepdaughtersKourtney,Khloéand Kim Kardashian were also in attendance.
However, while the Kardashian sisters publicly supported Jenner’s transition, theycut ties with her after reading her memoir, which alleged that Krisknew more about her spouse’s gender identity crisisthan she had previously admitted.
During an interview onLive with Kellyin April 2017, Jenner explained that her speech at the ESPYs “was a very important moment, not just for me, but also for our society.”
“It was scary as heck — I’m going out in front of my peers for my first public appearance, I’m in a long dress and I’m thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to trip going up those stairs,” she recalled.
But while the experience was nerve-wracking, “it was very well-received,” she said. “And that was the most important thing.”
source: people.com
