Katy Perry received the Courage Award at the amfAR gala and used her acceptance speech to praise all of her "LGBTQ-plus family".
The 33-year-old pop star was recognised for her fundraising and work in the fight against AIDS and other humanitarian work and she admitted that her out and proud fans have a special place in her heart.
Speaking at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Thursday (18.10.18), she said: "To my LGBTQ-plus family who is disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, I’ve always felt such a deep connection to, and gratitude for your bravery to live your authentic truth. It’s a gift to all of us and you deserve to be safe, seen and celebrated. I want to thank you for always offering me a home in your hearts and a bench in your ears. You have one in mine, too, and we are in this together."
The ‘Roar’ hitmaker – who was joined at the event by her boyfriend Orlando Bloom – also recalled her strict religious upbringing with her Pentecostal Christian pastor parents Mary and Maurice and insisted that her decision to question the opinion of those around her was her "first attempt at a courageous life".
She said: "Today I understand that a courageous life is the only one worth living. You may or may not have heard that I come from a Bible-thumping background that wasn’t particularly open or accepting of curiosity.
"For example, I wasn’t allowed to eat Lucky Charms – Luck was too closely associated with Lucifer, obviously. Or watch the Smurfs because they were magical blue demons. And then I become (the voice of) Smurfette later on in life … teenage rebellion.
"I may not have known it then but daring to ask questions and redefine right and wrong when everybody around me spoke in absolutes was my first attempt at a courageous life."
Katy then went on to offer to "anyone who is really, really rich" the opportunity to have dinner with her at the very exclusive Club 33 in Disneyland because it’s her "favourite place in the world".
The glamorous evening raised more than $13 million for HIV and AIDS research and attracted a galaxy of stars, including Heidi Klum, Kat Graham, Carmen Electra, Brittney Palmer and Rumer Willis.
Katy Perry accepts Courage Award at the amfAR gala
