Madonna gave an emotional speech at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards as she accepted the Advocate for Change Award. The singer, 60, has long been a pioneer in advocating for LGBT rights and in her speech, spoke of finding acceptance in the gay community at a time when she felt like she did not 'fit in'. Madonna attended the star-studded event at the Hilton Midtown in New York on Saturday night. Honour: Madonna gave an emotional speech at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards as she accepted the Advocate for Change Award Accepting her award, she said: 'Why have I always fought for change? That's a hard question to answer. It's like trying to explain the importance of reading or the need to love. 'Growing up I always felt like an outsider, like I didn't fit in. It wasn't because I didn't shave under my armpits, I just didn't fit in, OK. The first gay man I ever met was named Christopher Flynn. 'He was my ballet teacher in high school and he was the first person that believed in me, that made me feel special as a dancer, as an artist and as a human being. 'I know this sounds trivial and superficial, but he was the first man to tell me I was beautiful.' Speech: The singer, 60, has long been a pioneer for LGBT rights and in her speech, spoke of finding acceptance in the gay community at a time when she felt like she did not 'fit in' Madonna told how Christopher encouraged her to move to New York City and pursue her dreams of being in the music industry. He also took her to her first gay club where she no longer felt like an outsider. He said: 'For the first time I saw men kissing men, girls dressed like boys, boys wearing hot pants, insane, incredible dancing and a kind of freedom and joy and happiness that I had never seen before. 'I finally felt like I was not alone, that it was OK to be different and to not be like everybody else. And that after all, I was not a freak. I felt at home, and it gave me hope. She said: 'The first gay man I ever met was named Christopher Flynn. 'He was my ballet teacher in high school and he was the first person that believed in me' She added: 'I know this sounds trivial and superficial, but he was the first man to tell me I was beautiful' Pals: Madonna embraced actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who spoke about how she sought advice from Madonna when she wanted to come out After moving to New York, Madonna learned about the AIDS epidemic. 'The plague that moved in like a black cloud over New York City and in a blink of an eye," she said and snapped her fingers, 'took out all of my friends. 'After I lost my best friend and roommate Martin Burgoyne and then Keith Haring - happy birthday Keith - I decided to take up the bull horn and really fight back.' Madonna, teary-eyed from her seat, received the award from Anderson Cooper, Mykki Blanco and Rosie O'Donnell, who gave a powerful speech about how Madonna helped her become more comfortable in her own skin. 'So here I was - VG, very gay - dating a man and I went to Madonna for advice,' said Rosie, who co-starred in 1992's A League of Their Own with the singer. Memories: Madonna told how her dance teacher Christopher encouraged her to move to New York City and pursue her dreams of being in the music industry Past: After moving to New York, Madonna learned about the AIDS epidemic She said: 'The plague that moved in like a black cloud over New York City and in a blink of an eye' and added it: 'took out all [her] friends' 'I was questioning and unsure, my gay life was blossoming but I didn't quite know what to do. And she told me, "Rosie, just follow your heart" - advice I still follow to this day.' Madonna recently spoke to British Vogue about some of the obstacles she has faced during her career, including ageism. She said: 'People have always been trying to silence me for one reason or another, whether it's that I'm not pretty enough, I don't sing well enough, I'm not talented enough, I'm not married enough, and now it's that I'm not young enough. Guests: Madonna, teary-eyed from her seat, received the award from Anderson Cooper, Mykki Blanco and Rosie O'Donnell She said: ''After I lost my best friend and roommate Martin Burgoyne and then Keith Haring - happy birthday Keith - I decided to take up the bull horn and really fight back' Bash: Madonna attended the star-studded event at the Hilton Midtown in New York on Saturday night Family: Madonna also revealed her daughter Lourdes - who she had with Cuban dancer Carlos Leon - is already planning on following in her footsteps with a career in stardom 'So they just keep trying to find a hook to hang their beef about me being alive on. Now I'm fighting ageism, now I'm being punished for turning 60.' The singer is mother to Lourdes, 22, Rocco, 18, David and Mercy, both 13, and Esther and Stella, both six. Madonna also revealed her daughter Lourdes - who she had with Cuban dancer Carlos Leon - is already planning on following in her footsteps with a career in stardom. Describing her daughter by her nickname Lola, the songstress said: 'Lola is insanely talented. I'm green with envy because she's incredible at everything she does - she's an incredible dancer, she's a great actress, she plays the piano beautifully, she's way better than me in the talent department. But she doesn't have the same drive.' Children: The singer is mother to Lourdes, 22, Rocco, 18, David and Mercy, both 13, and Esther and Stella, both six All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility