Rita Moreno, introduced Jennifer Lopez at last night’s GLAAD media awards by noting that the singer/actress/producer’s success as an American Idol judge can be attributed to her open-mindedness.
“The woman in real life does not judge,” observed the veteran actress. “You saw it with the way she welcomed MK [Nobilette], the show’s first openly lesbian contestant.”
Jennifer was presented with the Vanguard Award, by the gay rights organization, for her support of the LGBT community, in a ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
In her acceptance speech, Jennifer opened up about her late aung Marisa, who was gay.
“I’ve always felt a tremendous love from the LGBT community and the LGBT community has always supported me and returned that love,” said Jennifer. “Marisa was my cool aunt. She was my mom’s older sister and she lived in New York City. I lived in the Bronx and she lived in Manhattan, it was like worlds away! 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 t herself.”
Currently, Jennifer is producing The Fosters, for ABC Family, a TV show that tells the story of two gay moms, a bi-racial couple raising a brood of bio and foster children.
Also celebrated last night were Laverne Cox (transgender actress from Orange is the New Black), and legendary producer, Norman Lear (All in the Family, Maude).
The Fosters won the award for Outstanding Drama Series.
Watch Rita’s introduction and Jennifer’s acceptance speech below:
