Katy Perry Opens Up About Her Sexuality at HRC Gala

Pop star Katy Perry talks about her religious upbringing and, in reference to her hit song I Kissed a Girl, how she did ‘did more than that’.

 

The singer, who stormed the charts, and courted some controversy, with her single, I Kissed a Girl back in 2008, accepted the National Equality Award at the 2017 Human Rights Commission Gala in LA over the weekend and opened up about her sexuality. Perry was being recognized for her work as an advocate for equal rights, especially for the LGBTQ community.

“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, I did more than that,” she told the crowd, referencing her 2008 hit, “I Kissed A Girl.”

"But how was I going to reconcile that with the gospel-singing girl raised in youth groups that were pro conversion camps?

"What I did know was that I was curious, and even then I knew that sexuality was not as black and white as this dress.

"But in 2008, when that song came out, I knew that it started a conversation that a lot of the world seemed curious enough to sing along to it."

Katy also revealed that she grew up with her parents both being pastors, hence she spent a lot of time “praying the gay away in my Jesus camps”.

Perry says her perspective on sexuality changed when she switched over from Gospel music to pop music.

“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 I had been taught to fear. They were the most free, strong, kind and inclusive people I have ever met.”

Concluding her lengthy speech, Perry said, "I stand here as real evidence for all, that no matter where you came from, it is about where you are going, that real change, real evolution, and that real perception shift can happen, if we open our minds and soften our hearts."