Jennifer Lopez has paid tribute to her gay aunt as she was honoured at the GLAAD Media Awards.

The actress, singer and American Idol judge opened up about her late aunt Marisa as she accepted the Vanguard Award, reported E! News, which applauds efforts to increase visibility and understanding of the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender community.

"I've always felt a tremendous love from the LGBT community and the LGBT community has always supported me and returned that love," J-Lo said.

"Marisa was my cool aunt. She was my mom's older sister and she lived in New York City. I lived in the Bronx and she lived in Manhattan, it was like worlds away! She wanted to be an actress and I always wanted to be like her.

"Marisa grew up gay in a time when it meant life could be very difficult and that her struggles were mostly kept to herself."

Jennifer, 44, serves as executive producer of The Fosters, an TV series that centres on a lesbian couple raising their children. The show also won the award for outstanding drama series.

Other winners at the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel included the soap opera Days Of Our Lives for daily drama and Big Freedia: Queen Of Bounce for reality programme. Canadian singers Tegan and Sara were also among the winners.

The awards salute fair, accurate and inclusive representation in media of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.