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‘I prayed the gay away’ Katy Perry on staunch Christian upbringing

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While accepting the National Equality award at this year's Human Rights Campaign gala, Katy Perry revealed that a staunch anti-gay rhetoric had informed most of her childhood and adolescence.

Born into a conservative and religious family, Katy was taught from a young age that the LGBT community was something to fear.

"When I was growing up, homosexuality was synonymous with the word 'abomination' and 'hell'," she explained. "So most of my unconscious adolescence, I prayed the gay away at my Jesus camps."

During the impassioned speech supporting the gay community, the singer revealed that with the support of friends she began to understand her own sexuality, and ultimately realised her perception of the LGBT community had been utterly skewed.

"There is no other community that has done more to shape who I am today, and there is no other community that I believe in more than you," she said.

Delving further still, the 32-year-old singer explained that her own experiences contradicted the teachings of her church and family.

Referring to her debut single, I Kissed a Girl, Katy added: "Truth be told, I did more than that. But how I was I going to reconcile that with a gospel-singing girl raised in youth groups that were pro-conversion camps?"

Katy finished her well-received speech with a promise, saying: "I'll never cease to be a champion, an ally, a spotlight, and a loving voice for all LGBTQ-identifying people."

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