Thank You

“I want to thank my mom who has always loved me for who I am, even when there was pressure not to. But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours.”

-- Dustin Lance Black, Oscar acceptance speech, 2/22/09

Dustin Lance Black accepting his Academy Award (Getty Images/Kevin Winter)

AMEN!

Last night, Dustin Lance Black won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Sean Penn was for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Milk.

Both acceptance speeches were indictments of the bigotry and intolerance towards the GLBT community in general, and specifically of the passage of Proposition 8 in California this past November. While the film didn’t receive the widespread popularity of Brokeback Mountain from a few years ago, Milk followed in its footsteps, putting gay rights back into the spotlight. And last night, millions of people here in the U.S. and around the world were exposed to the issue once more.

Like Matthew Mitcham’s Olympic gold medal, Black’s win carries significance as an out gay man in Hollywood. Recognized by his peers and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Black stood at the podium having reached the pinnacle of his profession and having realized a dream shared by everyone in the film industry. He took the opportunity to speak compassionately to young gay men and women struggling with their sexuality. In that instant, he became a role model and source of strength and hope.

Alternately, Penn used his win to call shame upon those who sided with fear and hatred by voting for Proposition 8, and in the process, contributed to the discrimination and marginalization of the gay community. With strength and determination, he assured the audience that equal rights for gays and lesbians would undoubtedly be realized.

Together, Black and Penn delivered a one-two punch. As a gay man, I couldn’t be prouder.