Beyoncé Thanks the Queer Community for Inventing Dance Music in Her Grammys Speech

Beyoncé made Grammy history tonight, breaking the record for the most wins ever as she won the Best Dance/Electronic Music Album trophy. As the most nominated artist at tonight’s ceremony, she used her acceptance speech to deliver a short but moving message. In it, she thanked her family, including her late Uncle Jonny, who passed away following complications with HIV and heavily influenced her album Renaissance. She also made sure to acknowledge the queer community for their support and “for inventing the genre” of dance music, which she honors in her album.

Read her full speech below:

“I’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to just receive this night. I want to thank God for protecting me. Thank you, God. I’d like to thank my uncle Johnny who’s not here, but he’s here in spirit.

I’d like to thank my parents, my father, my mother for loving me and pushing me. I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful three children who are at home watching.

I’d like to thank the queer community for your love, for inventing the genre. God bless you.

Thank you so much to the Grammys. Thank you.”

Prior to her record-breaking win, she also posted a thank you note on Instagram celebrating the three awards she won earlier in the evening: Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Plastic Off the Sofa”), Best R&B Song (“Cuff It”), and Best Dance/Electronic Recording (“Break My Soul”).

Beyoncé was nominated in nine categories at this year’s awards: Record of the Year (“Break My Soul”), Album of the Year (Renaissance), Song of the Year (“Break My Soul”), Best Dance/Electronic Recording (“Break My Soul”), Best Dance/Electronic Music Album (Renaissance), Best R&B Performance (“Virgo’s Groove”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Plastic Off the Sofa”), Best R&B Song (“Cuff It”), and Best Song Written for Visual Media (“Be Alive” for King Richard).

Her speech marks Bey’s first big public remarks since she announced her highly-anticipated Renaissance World Tour on Wednesday.

Renaissance the album marks the first act of Beyoncé’s three-act project she created over the pandemic. She wrote, when releasing it, that she hoped it would spread joy and help listeners develop a greater sense of self-love.

“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” she wrote. “It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgement. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration. I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are.”