Skip to content

Beyonce dedicates Glaad award to gay uncle who died from HIV

Getty Images Beyonce and Jay ZGetty Images

Beyonce says she was "overwhelmed" at getting recognition at the 2019 Glaad awards, along with her husband Jay-Z.

The superstar couple were honoured by the organisation for their work promoting LGBT acceptance.

Beyonce dedicated the couple's vanguard award to her uncle who died from issues relating to HIV.

"I want to dedicate this award to my uncle Johnny, the most fabulous gay man I have ever met, who helped raise me and my sister," she said.

"Witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I've ever lived."

"I'm hopeful that his struggle served to open pathways for other young people to live more freely.

"LGBTQIA rights are human rights."

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

During her speech, she also said that a tribute performance from A Star Is Born and RuPaul's Drag Race star Shangela left her with torn tights.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

"I've already cried, I've got a run in my stockings from Shangela," she said while collecting her award.

Getty Images ShangelaGetty Images
Shangela performed a Beyonce tribute in front of Beyonce

Shangela performed some of Beyonce's biggest hits in front of Beyonce and Jay-Z - who also spoke at the ceremony.

"Thank you, GLAAD, for this amazing honour and having us this evening," said Jay-Z.

"Life, this journey, is filled with highs, lows and a lot of learning. This is a momentous night and I also want to honour my mother who received an award last year."

Gloria Carter, who is gay, won a special recognition award at the 2018 Glaad awards for her part on Jay-Z's track Smile.

Getty Images LizzoGetty Images
Expert twerker and professional flautist Lizzo performed her hit Juice at the Glaad awards

The Glaad award celebrates people, programmes, movies and moments that have supported LGBT rights.

Love, Simon won outstanding film and Queer Eye won Outstanding reality TV programme.

US series Vida, about two Mexican-American sisters who find out their dead mother was in a relationship with a woman, was named outstanding comedy series.

See the list of winners here and here.

Presenters of awards included Will and Grace star Sean Hayes who joked about the Jussie Smollett police case which has taken place throughout 2019.

Sean said he had been using "the Smollett workout" to get in shape, telling the audience: "You hire two trainers and sweat for eight weeks."

Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here.