Following the backlash for claiming he may have been the first openly gay man to win an Oscar, Sam Smith has defended his acceptance speech, saying his point was missed.
The 23-year-old singer and co-writer Jimmy Napes won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the Spectre theme, Writing's on the Wall, at Sunday night's ceremony.
During his acceptance speech, Smith said, "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.
"If this is the case, even if it 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 as equals one day."
John Legend and Common presented Smith and Napes with their award
The article Smith referred to was a Guardian interview with McKellen, during which he said: "No openly gay man has ever won the Oscar; I wonder if that is prejudice or chance."
McKellen has clarified however that he was speaking about the Oscar for Best Actor alone, posting on Twitter: "I'd said no openly gay actor had received #Oscars - that doesn't detract from @samsmithworld achievement. Congratulations to him & all others!"
Elton John, Melissa Etheridge and Steven Sondheim are among the previous LGBT winners in Smith's category alone.
I'd said no openly gay actor had received #Oscars-that doesn’t detract from @samsmithworld achievement. Congratulations to him & all others!
— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) February 29, 2016
The X-Men star wasn't the only person in the movie world taking issue with the speech, with screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Milk in 2009 and is engaged to Olympian Tom Daly, telling Smith that is it very important to "know our LGBTQ history".
Black shared a link to his acceptance speech at the 2009 ceremony on Twitter, along with the message: "Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time to stop texting my fiancé.
"THE POINT: knowing our LGBTQ history is important. We stand on the shoulders of countless brave men and women who paved the way for us."
Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time to stop texting my fiancé. Here's a start: https://t.co/8hGTRtIaMK
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) February 29, 2016
THE POINT: knowing our LGBTQ history is important. We stand on the shoulders of countless brave men and women who paved the way for us.
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) February 29, 2016
Smith then took to Twitter to clarify his comments, saying: "Second openly gay man to win an Oscar or third or fourth or 100th. It wasn't my point.
"My point was to shine some light on the LGBT community who I love so dearly."
Second openly gay man to win an oscar or third or fourth or 100th, It wasn't my point.
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) February 29, 2016
My point was to shine some light on the LGBT community who i love so dearly.
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) February 29, 2016
He then apologised specifically to Black, saying: "Apologies for the mix up @DLanceBlack I'll be sure to check out your films now x Belated Congrats on the Oscar x."
Apologies for the mix up @DLanceBlack I'll be sure to check out your films now x Belated Congrats on the Oscar x
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) February 29, 2016
Well this has proven to be a lively day on Twitter. From humor to anger. The former my intent... in defense of history. Much love to all.
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) February 29, 2016
Dear Internet: @TomDaley1994 and @samsmithworld are pals. They text. Thus my surprise Sam took me for a closet case! Feel free to laugh.
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) February 29, 2016
