The Ryan Thomas Collection

I have watched the Academy Awards for many years, watching touching moments of winners who had dreamt of the moment from the time they were a young child. Tonight, Kate Winslet finally won her Academy Award for Best Actress, a moment she described as one she had thought of since she was eight years old. I never imagined winning an Oscar; I am no actor, nor I am I sound technician, cinematographer or a director. 2009’s Academy Awards ceremomy made me feel like a winner and made me feel like an American. Never have I watched an Oscar ceremony finding myself brought to tears because a dream, an American Dream, was propelled in such a way that afffected me, a gay American.

When I saw “Milk” I was brought to tears, tears of sadness and hope. It was a film that touched me to a depth no film had touched for as long as I could remember. Harvey Milk was and continues to be a figure that Americans, gay and straight, should look to for inspiration and hope. Watching this film reaffirmed my belief that I am a legitimate citizen of the United States and rightfully due the rights and privileges due to all citizens. The film reaffirmed my belief that one day the United States of America would live up to its promise of justice and equality for all.

Tonight, I watched the Academy Awards and saw a gay male, Dustin Lance Black, accept an Academy
Award for Best Screenplay for “Milk.” Brought to tears as I finally saw an openly gay male on national and international tv openly express his sexuality whist accepting an Oscar, he said:

If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he would want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by the churches, by the government, 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.

There has been a lot of changes in our nation in the last four months. President Obama has taken office promising change. I cannot remember a moment when a young and vibrant gay male took the national stage and reminded Americans, young and old, gay and straight, that the gay community are people; they are Americans, and they are equal and beautiful. This is something I have felt and believed for as long as I can remember. Some people are not so lucky to be raised in an atmosphere that fertilizes this understanding. A speech like this can and hopefully will speak to Americans, gay and straight, young and old, that we are “wonderful creatures of value.” 

The moment of inspiration and hope was built upon when Sean Penn won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in “Milk.” Personally, I felt that Penn fully owned his role and portrayed Harvey Milk in such a way that audiences would feel compassion and sorrow, yet hope for a brighter tomorrow. Fortunately, the Academy agreed. Penn took the stage and opened his speech of gratitude with, “You commie, homo-loving sons of guns.” Penn toys with the ideas of leftist ideas of equality and communism. One could almost say he draws upon J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI communist and homosexual fighter of the the 1950s and 1960s. Sean Penn’s Oscar win allowed a second international moment for gay equality:

For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think it’s a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.

As a young, gay American I watched this Academy Award ceremony like every other citizen. I’ve done this year in and year out. Everyone has that Oscar moment they will remember. For some it is the moment where Halle Berry won her Oscar. For others it will be when be the fact that “Slimdog Millionaire” won Best Film. 2009’s Academy Award ceremony has created a moment for me as a time that I’ll remember that me, my gay friends, and all my allies were recognized on an international platform. I am a beautiful creature of value. My gay friends are beautiful creatures of value. One day, we will be equal. Hopefully, this ceremony convinced one more person that this is our future; the future of the United States.

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