Britney Spears delivered a heartfelt speech to members of the LGBTQ community, thanking them for their unconditional love while accepting her award on Thursday night during the 29th annual GLAAD Awards in Los Angeles.
The pop superstar took the stage at the Beverly Hilton in a sparkling-silver dress to be honoured with the Vanguard Award in recognition of her longtime support and promoting equality for the queer community.
Spears was presented the award by Ricky Martin, who introduced her as “an artist, a fighter and a friend,” before she thanked her fans and spoke to the crowd which also included Wanda Sykes, Jim Parsons, Lena Waithe, and Olympians Adam Rippon and Gus Kenworthy.
“I feel like our society has always put such an emphasis on what’s ‘normal.’ To be different is unusual or seen as strange,” Spears said. “But to be accepted unconditionally and to be able to express yourself as an individual through art is such a blessing.”
After receiving a standing ovation, host Sykes reportedly noticed the teleprompter had stopped working and commented, “Britney has broken the show!”
Watch the full speech below: