West Side Story star Ariana DeBose spoke of her pride in being an "openly queer woman of colour" as she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
The star, 31, collected her gong dressed in red Valentino trousers and a crop top and said her win was proof that "dreams do come true".
DeBose won the Oscar for her performance as Anita in the classic musical, 60 years after her predecessor in the role, Rita Moreno, earned the statuette herself.
DeBose added: "Now you see why Anita says I want to be in America because even in this weary world that we live in dreams do come true and that’s a heartening thing right now."
On the production, she added: "It was the summer of a lifetime and I am the most privileged and grateful to have spent it with all of you."
"My God thank you Steven Spielberg, you’re stuck with me now."
The actress also paid tribute to Moreno, saying she "paved the way for tonnes of Anitas like me".
Concluding her speech, DeBose added: "Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus.
"Look into her eyes, you see an openly queer woman of colour, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength in life through art.
"And that’s what we’re here to celebrate.
"So to anyone who has ever questioned your identity or you find yourself living in the grey spaces…I promise you this, there is indeed a place for us."
Jessica Chastain appeared to address the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill in Florida as she accepted her Best Actress Oscar for The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
She said: "Right now, we are coming out of some difficult times that have been filled with trauma and isolation.
"So many people out there feel hopelessness and they feel alone and suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. It has touched many families, it has touched mine, and especially members of the LGBTQ community who oftentimes feel out of place with their peers.
"We are faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country with the only goal of further dividing us. There is violence and hate crimes being perpetrated on innocent civilians all over the world."
She added: "For any of you out there who do feel hopeless or alone I want you to know you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you."
Source: Press Association
