Sam Smith didn't just accept an Oscar for himself on Sunday night.
The openly gay singer-songwriter won a Best Original Song Oscar alongside Jimmy Napes for "The Writing's On the Wall" from the James Bond movie "Spectre."
And when it came time to pick up his statuette, he dedicated it to LGBT people everywhere.
"I read an article a few months ago by Sir Ian McKellen, and he said that no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar," Smith said.
"If this is the case, even if this isn't the case, I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community all around the world.
"I stand here tonight as a proud gay man and I hope we can all stand together as equals one day."
Smith, however, isn't the first openly gay man to win an Academy Award. Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black won an Oscar for "Milk," about LGBT activist Harvey Milk, in 2009.
McKellen had actually asked why no openly gay man had ever won the Best Actor Oscar in an interview with The Guardian. "I wonder if that is prejudice or chance," he said to the publication.
Smith's song won out over Lady Gaga and Diane Warren for "Til It Happens to You" from the campus sex assault documentary "The Hunting Ground," as well as The Weeknd's "Earned It" for "Fifty Shades Of Grey," J. Ralph and Anohni's "Manta Ray" from 'Racing Extinction" and David Lang's "Simple Song #3" for "Youth."
Lady Gaga delivered a powerful performance of the song that preceded Smith's win. And he made sure to praise her work as he accepted the award.
"To all the nominees, you're incredible. Gaga, you're incredible," he said.
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The openly gay singer-songwriter won a Best Original Song Oscar alongside Jimmy Napes for "The Writing's On the Wall" from the James Bond movie "Spectre."
And when it came time to pick up his statuette, he dedicated it to LGBT people everywhere.
"I read an article a few months ago by Sir Ian McKellen, and he said that no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar," Smith said.
"If this is the case, even if this isn't the case, I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community all around the world.
"I stand here tonight as a proud gay man and I hope we can all stand together as equals one day."
An #Oscars Music Moment Thx2 @ATT: @SamSmithWorld performs "Writing's On The Wall." Watch: https://t.co/WxipKRCXSIhttps://t.co/M2IJWNTEaZ
— ABC Network (@ABCNetwork) February 29, 2016
Smith, however, isn't the first openly gay man to win an Academy Award. Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black won an Oscar for "Milk," about LGBT activist Harvey Milk, in 2009.
McKellen had actually asked why no openly gay man had ever won the Best Actor Oscar in an interview with The Guardian. "I wonder if that is prejudice or chance," he said to the publication.
Smith's song won out over Lady Gaga and Diane Warren for "Til It Happens to You" from the campus sex assault documentary "The Hunting Ground," as well as The Weeknd's "Earned It" for "Fifty Shades Of Grey," J. Ralph and Anohni's "Manta Ray" from 'Racing Extinction" and David Lang's "Simple Song #3" for "Youth."
Lady Gaga delivered a powerful performance of the song that preceded Smith's win. And he made sure to praise her work as he accepted the award.
"To all the nominees, you're incredible. Gaga, you're incredible," he said.
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