The 44 year-old remembered her late "cool aunt," Marisa, who was a lesbian "in a time when it meant life could be very difficult and that her struggles were mostly kept to herself."
Jennifer Lopez received a top honor at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Awards on Saturday (April 12th).
The 44 year-old pop star wore a very flattering blue and black figure hugging dress to the event at the Beverly Hilton hotel, and was accompanied by boyfriend Casper Smart.
Lopez was presented with the Vanguard Award, which is given to celebrities who have promoted equal rights for LGBT people, by Puerto Rican actress/singer Rita Monero.
Lopez receiving the coveted award is down to an ABC Family series called 'The Fosters,' for which she is an executive producer.
The GLAAD Media Award-nominated TV show depicts a lesbian couple raising a family of biological, adopted, and foster children.
As well as being recognized for her efforts, Lopez was also complemented by the GLAAD Award show host Ross Matthew at the beginning of the ceremony, by joking about wanting to sleep with her.
"Honey, I'm gay but there's always room for J.Lo!" he said.
When the time came for the 'Dance Again' singer to collect the award, she remembered her late Aunt Marisa who was a lesbian.
MORE: Laverne Cox, Ellen Page And Jennifer Lopez Shine At GLAAD Awards 2014
"I've always felt a tremendous love from the LGBT community and the LGBT community has always supported me and returned that love," Lopez said during her acceptance speech. "Marisa was my cool aunt. She was my mom's older sister and she lived in New York City."
MORE: Jennifer Lopez Is Double Winner At The Glaad Awards
"I lived in the Bronx and she lived in Manhattan, it was like worlds away!" Lopez continued. "She wanted to be an actress and I always wanted to be like her. Marisa grew up gay in a time when it meant life could be very difficult and that her struggles were mostly kept to herself."
Watch Lopez's acceptance speech below
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