Entertainment

Caitlyn Jenner Makes Moving Speech At Glamour's Women Of The Year Awards (Video)

by Taylor Ortega

Caitlyn Jenner was honored by Glamour magazine on Monday night with a Woman of the Year Award, and despite mixed opinions online over whether or not she deserved it, you're all going to cry a little when you listen to her speech.

The ceremony, opened by Amy Schumer, honored “trailblazers and newsmakers from across the worlds of entertainment, fashion, politics, business and more.”

Jenner shared the honor with Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon, the Women of Charleston, the US women's national soccer team, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Holmes and Cecile Richards.

The transgender activist stepped on stage in a blue custom Moschino gown to accept her award and thanked presenter Judith Light, who she claimed has been “such a supporter of [the gender non-conforming] community.”

Jenner explained while everyone is “on a journey” with his or her gender, there are some who experience more confusion and strife than others.

She said,

For years and years, I never felt like I fit in anywhere. I always felt as an outsider. I never felt good on the male side, and I wasn't obviously on the female side. I was kind of stuck in the middle.

When Jenner finally came out, the beginning of her transition was subject to constant scrutiny.

She recalled,

I was getting destroyed in the tabloids every week, walking through the grocery line looking at the headlines and so were my children, and it was hurtful.

Debates over whether or not Jenner actually does her own grocery shopping aside, a life of endless media criticism can make even the bravest among us question our next steps.

For Jenner, however, there was no turning back. Years of isolation and secrecy acted as her motivation.

She said,

All of a sudden, after making this decision and coming out, it was by far the best thing I ever did… Now, actually…I like being myself.

Jenner thanked the famous faces of the movement who came before her and made their stories known including Laverne Cox and Janet Mock, and she honored the fearless authenticity of the transgender community embracing her.

The reality star then shared her license photo was finally changed from Bruce to Caitlyn and her marked gender from "M" to "F." Now able to fly with proper identification, Jenner shared an anecdote of sitting proudly on the plane, leafing through Glamour magazine without the pressure to hide what she was reading.

She remarked,

It's always the little things in life that, really, you notice.

Amen, sister.

Citations: Caitlyn Jenner's Inspiring Glamour Woman of the Year Speech Is a Celebration of Life (Cosmopolitan), Glamour's Women of the Year 2015: Reese Witherspoon, Victoria Beckham, Misty Copeland, and More Honorees (Glamour)