Thank you for giving me the strength and the courage everyday to be myself...
Singer/songwriter Halsey received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City and sent GLAAD and her fans a special video message about the honor!
In her touching video acceptance speech, Halsey shared how special it is to receive the honor as an out bisexual woman. She also referenced her hit single, "Bad At Love" (co-written by GLAAD board member Justin Tranter), which showcases the difficulties she faces dating both men and women.
Halsey also spotlighted the alarming statistic that an estimated 40% of homeless youth in the U.S. is LGBTQ. She has a call to action for all of us: "I beg you to go home and check out your local homeless youth services and see if they offer anything targeted towards the LGBTQ youth. See how you can get involved."
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist goes to an out LGBTQ music artist who released an album over the past year and used their platform to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people. Other nominees this year were Miley Cyrus, Honey Dijon, Kehlani, Kelela, Kesha, Perfume Genius, Sam Smith, St. Vincent, and Wrabel.
Watch Halsey's video message to GLAAD and her fans below:
Other important music moments at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City this week included a showstopping duet between Adam Lambert and Melissa Etheridge and Gloria Carter receiving the Special Recognition Award for coming out as lesbian on her son Jay-Z's record, "Smile".
