Oscar Hope

"You gotta give them hope!"

- Harvey Milk

And that they did...

Last night at the 81st Academy Awards Dustin Lance Black, the screenwriter for the film Milk, and Sean Penn, the actor who portrayed the legendary Milk, offered hope to the audience tuning in from around the globe.

Black, in the tradition of Harvey himself, spoke directly to the thousands upon thousands of young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in his acceptance speech:

"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all 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 who have value. And that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you."

God does love you! What a perfect Sunday night Gospel lesson and from Hollywood, no less!

Following Black's speech, Penn spoke out against those who continue to support discrimination out of hate and bigotry:

"…For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, 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."

Their words helped remind the watching world of the continued injustice against LGBTQ persons in the US and around the globe and offered hope in the midst of struggle

May these words of hope be translated into action and justice!

Remember...God loves you!