We all know that Katy Perry kissed a girl and liked it. But her biggest fans know that A, she did a lot more than that and B, grew up in a very religious household.
During her acceptance speech at The Human Rights Campaign National Equality Award on Saturday, March 18, Perry said that without the LGBTQ in her life she would be half the person she is today.
Perry said, “There is no other community that has done more to shape who I am today and there is no other community that I believe in more than you.”
In a speech that lasted a little more than 10 minutes Perry told fans about how when she was growing up “’homosexuality’” was synonymous with the word "abomination" and "hell." She said that to combat her curious feelings, she tried to “pray the gay away.”
However, music introduced her to members of the LGBTQ community.
“These people were nothing like I had been taught to fear. They were the most free, strong, kind and inclusive people I have ever met.”
Today, Perry considers herself a strong voice for the community.