Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: As she exited , she left with an exultant `` Bless God and bless the gays , '' similar to her 2009 MTV Video Music Awards acceptance speech for Best New Artist a month earlier .
Simplified: As she left , she said `` Bless God and bless the gays , '' similar to her 2009 MTV Video Music Awards speech a month earlier .