ACCEPTANCE Speech

I was so happy that DUSTIN LANCE BLACK won the Original Screenplay Oscar for MILK.  Also very happy for Sean Penn's win.  Both gave wonderful speeches.

Dustin's acceptance speech indeed was one of "acceptance."  He was extremely moving. 

By addressing gay and lesbian youth and telling them that God loves them, I believe he is a true inspiration and hero to SO many watching Sunday night. Just as he stated Harvey saved his life many years ago,  he is carrying on Milk's message and spirit.

Here is a video of him in the press room after.  Once again, eloquent words.

Bravo! 

Here is a link to a wonderful NPR interview with Mr. Black from last fall.

There is also a fantastic book about Harvey's life and about the making of the film.  I just ordered my copy!  It is available in hardcover and paperback.

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK'S moving Oscar Acceptance Speech - Transcript

Oh my God. This was, um. This was not an easy film to make. First off, I have to thank Cleve Jones and Anne Kronenberg and all the real-life people who shared their stories with me. And, um, Gus Van Sant, Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco, and our entire cast, my producers, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, everyone at Groundswell and Focus, for taking on the challenge of telling this life-saving story. When I was 13 years old, my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas to California and I heard the story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life, it gave me the hope to one day live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married.

(He chokes up, audience begins to applaud.)

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. (Wild applause from the audience.) Thank you, thank you, and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk.