During an acceptance speech Katy Perry gave after receiving the “National Equality Award” at the Human Right’s Campaign gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, the “I Kissed a Girl” singer took time to share some of the inspiration behind her sexually exploratory lyrics.
“I’m just a singer-songwriter, honestly. I speak my truths and I paint my fantasies into these little, bite-size pop songs,” she said during the 10-minute-long speech, “For instance, ‘I kissed a girl and I liked it.’ Truth be told, A) I did more than that, but B) How was I going to reconcile that with a gospel-singing girl raised in youth groups that were pro-conversion camps?”
The pop star continued, “What I did know is that I was curious, and even then I knew sexuality wasn’t as black and white as this [ruffled Rasario] dress. And, honestly, I haven’t always gotten it right, but in 2008, when that song came out, I knew that I started a conversation that a lot of the world seemed curious enough to sing along, too.”
About last night…✨🍫 @jpgaultierofficial @lorraineschwartz @vanityfair
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Perry also added that throughout her adolescence she felt the need to “pray the gay away at [her] Jesus camps.”
She’s come a long way since the gay fear she perceived during her youthful years and now sees herself as a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community.
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“I hope I stand here as real evidence for all, that no matter where you came from it’s about where you are going, and that real change, real evolution and real perception-shift can happen.”
We’re all for Katy’s new cause, and we’ll always love the former Hot 100 No. 1 for the many gloriously sexy Maxim shots she’s taken over the years. Check them out in the gallery above.