Beyoncé and Jay Z received the Vanguard Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Thursday night, and used their time onstage to praise the LGBTQ community and members of their family who are also a part of the LGBTQ including Jay-Z mother who he recognized for receiving a "Special Recognition Award" last year .
During Jay-Z’s speech he praised his mother, who came out as a lesbian on the groundbreaking track “Smile” from 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. Jay-Z received a GLAAD Special Recognition Award last year for the song and the music video.
When Beyonce spoke she shared her husband’s view point by spreading love and her story abut her uncle.
“Change starts with supporting people closest to you.” She encouraged people to speak out and protect those who are marginalized and asked for parents to love their kids in their truest form.
“We would like to request that we continue to shift the stigmas in this community,” she said. “Especially the stigmas in black families towards accepting queer black and brown men and women around the world.”
“He lived his truth and was brave and unapologetic when it wasn't easy to do so and witnessing his HIV battle was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever lived."
“I hope his struggles helped pave the way for young people to live freely, and stresses that LGBTQ rights are human rights.
Beyoncé gave her man a shout out also :
“To you Jay I am so proud of you and for helping change the stigmas in the hip-hop culture. It’s a privilege to watch you take those steps and stand next to you”
Congrats To The Carters!