Watch
this famous Katy Perry Speech. Katy Perry talked about her religious upbringing
and called for LGBTQ equality in an emotional speech at Saturday’s Human Rights
Campaign gala. Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television judge.
After singing in church during her childhood, she pursued a career in gospel
music as a teenager. Enjoy our Speeches with big English subtitles and keep
your English learning journey.
“Don’t care
what people gonna think of you, do what you wanna do and seek just your
happiness.” Katy Perry
“Thank
you, guys. A little back story. Shannon Woodward, one of my best friends … A
lot of my best friends are here tonight because I love them and I’m obsessed
with them, and I’m loyal. They’ve taught me pretty much everything I know.
Shannon, actually, I used to sleep on her couch. I was couch-surfing on her couch
and I used to eat her frozen chicken tenders from Trader Joe’s. They were so
good.
Here
is the thing about that woman, we’ve kind of like raised each other. I’ll get
into it in a second, but basically one time, I said, “I’m not a feminist
because I don’t grow hair underneath my arms,” and stuff like that because I
really didn’t understand what that meant. She lovingly pulled me aside as the
strong woman she is and great friend, and those are great friends, and she
goes, “Hey, this is what the word ‘feminist’ means.”
I
was like, “What? This whole time? I’m a feminist.”
I
love her so very much and I love all my friends that teach me everything that
I’ve learned today so thank you so much for this incredible, humbling award. I
got to say there is no other community that has done more to shape who I am
today, and there is no other community that I believe in more than you.
This
community here tonight has achieved more progress toward a more perfect union
in a short amount of time as any group in our history. I stand with you and I
know that we stand together against discrimination whether it be in the LGBTQ
community, or our Latino brothers and sisters, or the millions of Muslims in
this country.
I’m
just a singer-songwriter, honestly. I speak my truths and I paint my fantasies
into these little bite-size pop songs. For instance, I kissed a girl and I
liked it. Truth be told: (a) I did more than that and … (b) how was I going to
reconcile that with a gospel singing girl raised in youth groups that were
pro-conversion camps?
What
I did know is that I was curious and even then I knew sexuality wasn’t as black
and white as this dress. 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 to.
Let’s
take a trip down memory lane for one second. My first words were mama and dada,
God and Satan. Right and wrong were taught to me on felt boards and of course
through the glamorous Jan Crouch crying diamond teardrops every night on that
Vaseline-TBN television screen. Make some noise if you know who I’m talking
about.
When
I was growing up, homosexuality was synonymous with the word abomination and
hell, a place of gnashing of teeth, continuous burning of skin and probably
Mike Pence’s ultimate guest list for a barbecue.
No
way, no way! I wanted the pearly gates and the unlimited fro-yo toppings. Most
of my unconscious adolescence, I prayed the gay away at my Jesus camps, but
then in the middle of it all, in a twist of events, I found my gift and my gift
introduced me to people outside my bubble and my bubble started to burst.
These
people were nothing like who I had been taught to fear. They were the most
free, strong, kind and inclusive people I have ever met. They stimulated my
mind and they filled my heart with joy and they freaking danced all the while
doing it. These people are actually magic and they are magic because they are
living their truth. Oh my goddess, what a revelation … and not the last chapter
of the bible. Suffice to say, it’s been a long road for me and I’m sure a long
road for many of you out there.
I
know it doesn’t always feel safe to live out who you are, but here’s the thing
though, I would have not chosen a different road. Priceless lessons have been
learned. The path of discovery has made me, has tested me and forever changed
me. You don’t get to choose your family, but you can choose your tribe. Many of
the people I admire and trust, and work with belong to the LGBTQ community.
Without them, I’d be half of the person I am today. My life is rich in every
capacity because of them.
They
are trusted allies that provide a safe space to fall, to not know it all and to
make mistakes. These are the people I hold dear. See, 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 if we open our minds and soften our hearts. People can change. Believe
me, it would have been easier just to stay the whipped cream tit, spring,
poppy, light, fluffy, fun, anthems by the way of animal totem singing girl who
was basically somewhat neutralist in a stance and just thought more hugs could
save the world.
No
way. No longer can I sit in silence. I have to stand for what I know is true
and that is equality and justice for all, period.
That’s
why the HRC is so important and I am so grateful for them being on the front
lines every day from civil union legislation, to repealing ‘don’t ask, don’t
tell’, to getting rid of DOMA at the Supreme Court which paved the way for
marriage equality across the country and continuing to fight for trans equality
amongst all things.
I
don’t have to tell you that we have a lot more to do. We have to create a safe
space for us to ask questions of ourselves and others and to keep the
conversation going because the loudest voice in the room or on your TV set
isn’t always right, but that little voice inside of you, pushing you to
discover who you are is a trusted friend.
None
of us have the answers, or all of them at least, but it’s time to lead with
empathy and grace and compassion now more than ever to find the unity we need
now.
I’ll
never cease to be a champion, an ally, a spotlight and a loving voice for all
LGBTQ identifying people. Whatever your sexuality, your gender, your preferred
pronouns, blossom to be, we all know it ain’t so black and white and I will
continue to champion the people that have been a champion for me.
Many
friends and loved ones from the LGBTQ family have raised me into the woman I am
today and I want to dedicate this award to one of my greatest champions of my
life, my manager, Bradford Elton Cobb III.
I
think it’s almost, like, 15 years because he believed in me before it all.
Secretly paying my rent for years and bringing me leftovers from hamburger
[inaudible 00:09:36]. He really did! I know we really connected on a soul level
though because we came from the same upbringing where it was difficult to be
our authentic selves. We had similar struggles breaking out of our suppressive
shelves but we kept inspiring each other, challenging each other and retiring
our past frame of mind.
We
broke the cycle and now we’re living our best most authentic lives. I love you,
B. Cobb. There will be obstacles, but we all know everything good takes work,
but we can’t let our past get in the way of our brilliant future.
These
days, I get an incomparable high from finally knowing myself and it feels more
real than any story I was ever told on a felt board. It feels sparkly as fuck.
Truth be told, I think a lot of that has to do with the magic that has rubbed
off on me from all of you.
Thank
you so much.”
Katy
Perry
