Jennifer Lopez pays emotional tribute to her gay aunt for LGBT pride month
Popstar Jennifer Lopez has paid an emotional tribute to her gay aunt.
J-Lo wrote the letter for Billboard recalling her late aunt’s struggle with her sexuality.
The letter comes as part of Billboard’s LGBT pride month series.
The magazine asked stars to write down what the LGBT community meant to them – revealing some very powerful and personal stories.
In her letter, J-Lo reveals her admiration for her late aunt.
She writes: “When I was growing up in the Bronx, I always thought my Aunt Myrza was the coolest,” she writes.
“She lived in NYC and wanted to be an actress. I wanted to be just like her.
“What I didn’t realise was that she was struggling with being gay.
“At that time, families didn’t sit around a dinner table and talk about tolerance and acceptance.
“Life was different and it is heartbreaking for me to think about it now.
“The people she watched on TV didn’t represent her. Movies didn’t represent her. She thought she was alone.
“Myzra isn’t with us anymore, but I like to think she is proudly looking down on me from above – the way I always looked up to her.”
RELATED: Eddie Izzard opens up about coming out as trans.
J-Lo says the legacy of her aunt’s struggle inspired her niece’s drama, The Fosters, which tackles LGBT issues and the family.
“That is why I’m proud of The Fosters, a show celebrating its 100th episode,” Jennifer explains in her Billboard love letter.
“A show that holds a mirror to society and shines a light on what love looks like.
“It doesn’t matter your race or sexual orientation. Love is love.”
RELATED: Colton Haynes ‘cried for three days’ after coming out.
