Beyoncé and Jay-Z shared their personal experiences with the LGBTQ community while accepting the Vanguard Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Thursday night in Beverly Hills.
Beyoncé dedicated the honour to her uncle Johnny, whom she described as “the most fabulous gay man I’ve ever known.”
The pop superstar recalled: “He lived his truth. He was brave and unapologetic at a time when this country wasn’t as accepting.”
Beyoncé urged young people to “live more freely.”
She said: “LGBTQI rights are human rights. To choose who you love is your human right. How you identify and see yourself is your human right.
“Who you make love to and take that a** to Red Lobster is your human right.”
Jay-Z used the opportunity to recognize his mother, who came out as a lesbian and is featured on “Smile,” a track on his album 4:44.
“I get to follow in her footsteps for spreading love and acceptance and her beautiful speech at the end of the song — and for allowing me to tell her story,” he said.