An emotional Beyoncé paid tribute to her late uncle – “the most fabulous gay man I’ve ever known” – as she and her husband Jay-Z accepted GLAAD Media’s Vanguard Award on Thursday night. The power couple were honoured at the star-packed ceremony in LA for their impact as allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
The star’s Uncle Johnny, who died of HIV, “lived his truth,” she said on stage. “He was brave and unapologetic during a time when this country wasn’t as accepting, and witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever lived. I’m hoping that his struggle served to open pathways for other young people to live more freely. LGBTQI rights are human rights.”
The trans director Janet Mock, stylist Ty Hunter and actress, writer and producer Lena Waithe all took to the stage to pay tribute to the couple before they were presented with their award, and drag queen Shangela delivered an energetic medley of Beyoncé hits that Queen Bey later joked she’d “put a run in my stocking” dancing along to.
Beyoncé, who said she was “overwhelmed” by the award, described seeing “the hardest gangster trapping out right next to the most fabulous queen” as her favourite memory from her most recent tour. “We are here to promote love for every human being,” she said. “And change starts with supporting the people closest to you. So let’s tell them they are loved, let’s remind them they are beautiful, and parents, let’s love our kids in their truest form.”
Jay-Z also paid tribute to his mother, who was honoured at the same awards ceremony last year. Gloria Carter, who hid the fact she is a lesbian while raising Jay and his three siblings, came out in 2017 via a guest appearance on her son’s track “Smile”, from his critically acclaimed 4:44 album.
On what was clearly an emotional night, the most rapturous reception of all was reserved for a light-hearted note from Beyoncé, who referenced an infamous lyric from her track “Formation”. “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 ass to Red Lobster is your human right!”
Scroll down for some of the red carpet looks from the GLAAD Media Awards
