Christina Aguilera thanks LGBTQ+ community for their ‘support, friendship, joy and acceptance’
The singer was honoured with the Ally for Equality Award at the Human Rights Campaign ceremony
By Steve Brown
Christina Aguilera thanks the LGBTQ+ community for their ‘support, friendship, joy and acceptance’.
The ‘Beautiful’ singer was honoured with the Ally for Equality Award at the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles award ceremony over the weekend and, although she was unable to attend, she wrote a powerful speech on her Instagram account.
In her speech, she thanked the community for their support and revealed she has managed to get out of some of her darkest moments with the help of friends who identify as queer.
She wrote: “Since the very beginning of my career I have leaned on the LGBTQ+ community for support, friendship, joy and acceptance.
“I have found the most solace and unimaginable strength in my friends who identify as queer, and I have crawled out of some of my darkest times thanks to the small group of people I surround myself with – fellow dancers, glam artists, and creatives who I realize are overcoming obstacles of their own – the fights for freedom, the struggles for equality, and prayers for acceptance.”
She continued and said she thrives in the ‘company of other humans who are proud of individuality, authenticity and creativity’.
“I think the reason why I connect so deeply with this community is my intense love for anyone who is grateful and passionate to be living as their true selves,” she continued.
“I thrive in the company of other humans who are proud of individuality, authenticity and creativity.
“I wore piercings when society told me to be fresh faced. I kissed girls when executives told me fans would look away.
“I helped give attention to gay relationships and eating disorders and phobias when they were mostly taboo.
“What I realize is that I would not have had the power to be where I am today without the return acceptance from those who, like myself, were labeled as ‘other.’
“While these social relationships leave me satisfied and fulfilled, I can’t help but acknowledge the struggle to get where we are today.
“The activists on the front lines of change have created a world for my friends to also thrive.
“These forward steps would truly not be possible without the perseverance of the Human Rights Campaign.
“I recognize there are still so many hurdles ahead, but to realize how far we’ve come and that my voice and presence has made an impact thus far is more fulfilling than words can express.”