The 38-year-oldhalf-Ecuadorian American singer was awarded the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Ally for Equality Award at the 2019 HRC National Dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Unfortunately, Aguilera wasn’t able to attend the event to accept in person. In light of her absence, the “Come On Over” singer posted a special message of support and love to the LGBTQ community on her Instagram account, thanking them for supporting her throughout her career.
“Since the very beginning of my career I have leaned on the LGBTQ+ community for support, friendship, joy and acceptance,” she wrote. “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.”
The star said she identifies with those in the community so strongly because she’s also struggled to be true to herself in the industry.
“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,’” she wrote.
Aguilera also acknowledged the difficult road to the present state of affairs in the fight for LGBTQ acceptance, saying that we would be in a worse place if it weren’t for the HRC.
“While these social relationships leave me satisfied and fulfilled, I can’t help but acknowledge the struggle to get where we are today,” she wrote. “The activists on the front lines of change have created a world for my friends to also thrive.”
The annual award is given to celebrities who have helped forward the conversation on LGBTQ issues to mainstream audiences. Aguilera joined past honorees like Meryl Streep, P!nk, Jennifer Lopez and more.
