Last weekend at the GLAAD Media Awards, international gay pop star Troye Sivan was awarded the Stephen F. Kolzak Award and gave a moving acceptance speech dedicated to LGBT activists.
"This award is so much larger than me. This moment is about visibility and representation," an emotional Troye told the audience. "What and who we see in the media defines out perception of the world around us. To see ourselves in this picture of what is normal and what is acceptable and what is beautiful is absolutely vital."
He went on to thank a wide range LGBT activists, including Peter Staley, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Bayard Rustin, and Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag who passed a few days ago.
GLAAD gave the award to Sivan for being an openly LGBT figure who has worked to further the cause of LGBT rights.
Earlier this year, Sivan released the video to his song "Heaven," an emotional tribute to LGBTQ activists that paved the way for his own freedom to love. Check it out below.