"To all those who have served – past and present – I offer my deepest respect and thanks. Your service has made a lasting, positive impact for our communities, our nations, and our shared future.

"The Academy does not condone hate speech — I want to be very clear ... "If Karla joins us for the night, I hope there is an air of respect," Kramer continued. "We have over 200 nominees.

Watch her crowd-rousing speech in the video above ... were honored at the award show. The GLSEN Respect Awards were introduced in 2004 and are held annually in Los Angeles and New York.