Kesha gave an empowering and emotional speech at the Human Rights Campaign Nashville on Saturday night. After being awarded with the Visibility award for her work with LGBT youth, the singer took to the podium for a special 10-minute talk – opening up about her “misfit” childhood, and her recent legal troubles.

“As many of you know I am going through some personal things that have been really intense and hard lately, and I just want to say thank you for any support I have received,” she shared, while fighting back tears. “My message today is don't be afraid to speak up against any injustice you experience. Don't let people scare or shame you into changing the things about you that make you unique.”

The award comes after a fraught few weeks for Kesha. After accusing her producer Dr. Luke of rape and abuse, the “Tik Tok” singer was controversially denied the chance to escape her contract with him – with a bid to file an injunction getting overruled by a New York judge last month. She has since been hit by a wave of support from fans, as well as from fellow musicians Adele, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. Dr. Luke, however, has denied all allegations.

Brushing aside the drama, Kesha – who came out as bisexual back in 2013 – went on to thank her fans, and express her support for the LGBT community. “I have a very deep connection to the LGBT community since I was a little girl growing up here in Nashville,” she told the audience. “Back then I was a very odd little kid with homemade clothes and an inability to fit in. As you can see not a lot has changed.”

“Fame is strange and unnatural and I'm grateful for it mainly because it has put me in a position where I can actually do something positive for the world, and that is really the best part of it,” she added. “I love writing songs and I love making music, but this is the most rewarding part of it.”

Watch the full speech – which starts around nine minutes in – above.