Caitlyn Jenner at the ESPY Awards: celebrities tweet support and praise after emotional speech

Jenner recieved the award previously given to footballer Michael Sam

Caitlyn Jenner (Getty)

After Caitlyn Jenner was presented with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPN’s annual ESPYs ceremony she was met with a standing ovation and support from the audience.

She urged the world to respect transgender people in her emotional speech, and highlighted the murders, suicides and attacks young trans people face every day.

“If you want to call me names, make jokes and doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is I can take it. But for thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the reality of who they are, they shouldn't have to take it.”

She also appealed directly to sports stars sitting in the audience to work towards engendering acceptance and tolerance within the sporting community.

“As a group, as athletes, how you conduct your lives, what you say and what you do is absorbed and observed by millions of people, especially young people,” she said.

Support has come flooding in for Jenner from famous people praising her powerful words. Here are some of the top picks: