Monday, February 23, 2009

I'm a Commie, Homo-Loving Son of a Gun

In case you missed last night's Oscars...

I noticed stars wearing White Knots. Did you? Granted, most were associated with "Milk." But still!

The speech given by "Milk's" screenplay writer- Dustin Lance Black.

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.


And from Sean Penn...


You Commie homo-loving sons of guns! I did not expect this, but I — and I want to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often. But I — I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I scribbled down — so I have the names in case you were Commie homo-loving sons of guns.
For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, and, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.

5 comments:

Alison said...

I only saw the first speech, and loved it. Thank you for printing it here.

Anonymous said...

While what Sean said was perhaps slightly less than profound, the screenwriter - he made me cry.

Jackie E. said...

I just wish people wouldn't be so afraid of their own insecurities, their own fears and their own need to judge others just long enough to accept everyone else just as they are...as we all are, children of God!!! Period!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you posted that first speech...it was early in the night and I was still distracted by those not as obsessed with the awards as their mother. I knew it was a good speech, I just didn't realize HOW good.

Fortunately, I got to hear all of Sean Penn's speech, but I'm curious...what "signs of hatred" was he talking about? Any idea?

Eternal Lizdom said...

Phelps' people. The guy who protests at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq... Nice, eh?