We’ve seen many a celebrity use the Oscars as an opportunity to make an important statement—and though Patricia Arquette’s speech had us feeling empowered, it wasn’t until Graham Moore took the stage that we got really, really emotional.
Winning Best Adapted Screenplay, Graham Moore used his time on stage to address a number of important and sometimes taboo issues, ranging from mental health to acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth.
“Alan Turing never got to stand on a stage like this and look out at these disconcertingly attractive faces, and I do—and that’s the most unfair thing I’ve think I’ve ever heard,” he said. “So in this brief time here what I want to use it to do is to say this: When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself because I felt weird and I felt different and I felt like I didn’t belong. And now I’m standing here, so I would like this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she’s weird, or she’s different, or she doesn’t fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do. Stay weird, stay different, and then when it’s your turn, and you are standing on this stage, please pass this message along to the next person who comes along.”
The emotional, moving, heartbreaking and inspirational speech brought the audience to its feet—and us to tears.