Katy Perry: 'I've done more than just Kissed A Girl'

Katy Perry has confessed to experimenting sexually with girls beyond just kissing, insisting her curiosity got the better of her during her religious upbringing.

The pop star touched on her lesbian experience on her chart smash I Kissed a Girl, but as she attended the Human Rights Campaign Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday (18Mar17), she admitted her adventurous nature prompted her to go further than just lock lips with a member of the same sex.

"I speak my truths and I paint my fantasies into these little bite-size pop songs," she told attendees as she accepted the National Equality Award at the ceremony.

Quoting the lyrics of her 2008 hit, she continued, "For instance, 'I kissed a girl and I liked it.' Truth be told, I did more than that."

Katy, who wore a white halter-neck dress with black ruffles to the event, went on to explain her personal struggle as a kid as she began to rebel against her pastor parents' strict beliefs and rules, all while discovering her love of music through the church.

"How was I going to reconcile that with a gospel-singing girl raised in youth groups that were pro-conversion camps?" she said. "What I did know was I was curious and even then I knew sexuality wasn't as black and white as this dress. And honestly, I haven't always gotten it right, but in 2008 when that song came out, I knew that I started a conversation and a lot of the world seemed curious enough to sing along, too."

Katy revealed she initially tried to "pray the gay away", but after meeting more people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community through her singing talents, she realized her sexuality was nothing to be ashamed or afraid of.

"My bubble started to burst," she continued. "These people were nothing like I had been taught to fear. They were the most free, strong, kind and inclusive people I have ever met. They stimulated my mind, and they filled my heart with joy, and they danced with joy while doing it. These people are actually magic, and they are magic because they are living their truth."

Despite her strict upbringing, Katy is thankful for the "priceless lessons" learned, adding that "real change, real evolution, and that real perception shift can happen, if we open our minds and soften our hearts".

"No longer can I sit in silence," she declared as she concluded her speech. "I have to stand up what I feel is true and that is equality and justice for all, period."

Katy wasn't the only star honored at the Human Rights Campaign Gala - actress America Ferrera received the Ally for Equality Award. Both accolades recognize those who use their voices to publicly stand up and fight for LGBT rights.