While Lady Gaga brought all Academy Awards attendees to their feet with her singing last night, and Neil Patrick Harris did the same with his hosting, Graham Moore brought everyone to tears with his personal triumph.
Upon winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, Moore used his acceptance speech to deliver a powerful message about perseverance and individuality.
"Alan Turing never got to stand on a stage like this and look out on all of these disconcertingly attractive faces, and I do, and that’s the most unfair thing I think I’ve ever heard," Moore said of the subject of The Imitation Game.
So, in honor of the gay/closeted World War II hero who was persecuted for his sexual preference, along with many others like him who may be out there, Moore continued.
"When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself, because I felt weird, and I felt different, and I felt like I did not belong," he said.
"And now I’m standing here, and I would like for 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 the message to the next person who comes along."
Moore’s speech made major waves on social media, with #StayWeird trending on Twitter soon afterward. We salute him.
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