Actress, singer, performer and producer Jennifer Lopez may be known for being a pop culture powerhouse, but the star can now add human rights activist to the list for her commitment to improving the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

The multi-talented Latina received the 2013 Ally for Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) during its annual dinner on Saturday, Oct. 5 in at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

"The award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people," according to the Human Rights Campaign, which hosted over 3,400 guests, making it the largest dinner in HRC history.

"Jennifer Lopez embodies the spirit of an ally of the gay, lesbian and transgender people, and we are pleased to present this award," said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign in a recent statement. "We recognize Jennifer for her talent, style, compassion, philanthropy and generosity, but most of all, for their public commitment for equality for gay, lesbian and transgender people."

There were two noticeable leaders who weren't in attendance due to the government shutdown -- President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden.

President Obama sent a video message praising the group's victories this year, saying he and Biden were working with Republicans on a budget compromise so "gay and straight people can return to work," Bloomberg reports.

"You make me so proud to be a woman," Lopez told Gloria Steinem, who presented her with the award. Steinem is a writer and activist who has been involved in feminist and other social justice movements for over forty years.

"I love you," she murmured, and then in a surge of cheers, "I love you, too," the Washington Post reports.

Lopez, who produces The Fosters a program on ABC Family about a biracial, lesbian couple raising children, was recognized primarily for her highlighting of LGBT families on TV, to whom she says she can relate.

The star has a connection to the LGBT support mission, according to Bloomberg, one of her favorite aunts was a lesbian, and she relates to The Fosters because "I'm a single mom raising kids in a non-traditional family. I embraced it."

The Fosters' lead actress Teri Polo, civil rights activist Julian Bond and Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen were also in attendance.

Chart-topping singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles performed her hit song, Brave.

Earlier this year, the HRC presented the plaintiffs and attorneys from the historic Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) cases before the U.S. Supreme Court with the National Equality Award.