Stratford, New Jersey native and television host Kelly Ripa mixed humor into an uplifting message during the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards in New York Saturday night.
Ripa was given the Excellence in Media award by GLAAD, an LGBT media activist organization. She was chosen, among other things, for sharing the stories of her gay friends and colleagues during her morning television show LIVE with Kelly and Michael and for her work with the Point Foundation, which provides scholarships to LGBT students who have faced hardship based on their sexuality, such as rejection from their families.
While expressing how honored she was for receiving the award, she said that it was the community honoring her that deserved it.
"The LGBT community, this community, has led the way in treating people like people," Ripa said."Oftentimes, those who are the most discriminated against are the most empathetic and the most inclusive. Quite frankly, I should be the one giving this award to all of you in this room."
Ripa also reinforced her support for gay marriage, noting she had celebrated her 19th wedding anniversary the previous week.
"I couldn't help but think of all the people in this country and across the globe who have been denied the joy that I have known for 19 years."
"It's been mostly joy," Ripa said, as the crowd responded with laughter.
Ripa also brought up the current U.S. Supreme Court case that could make gay marriage a consitutional right, and hinted at recent controversies over laws concerning religious freedom and gay rights in Indiana and Arkansas.
"We must not allow discrimination to be rebranded, and used against people in other facets of society, including housing, employment and education," she said.
Watch the full speech here: