Tina Fey and Steve Martin present the best original screenplay award to Dustin Lance Black, whose Milk chronicles the life and murder of openly gay San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk.
"When I was 13 years old … I heard the story of Harvey Milk," Black declared, "and that gave me hope, gave me the hope to live my life as who I am and that even I one day could fall in love and get married … 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, 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."
Photo: Darren Decker / ©A.M.P.A.S.
Sean Penn's Oscar Acceptance Speech
That was the best, most touching speech of the evening.