The singer referenced a Guardian interview with Ian McKellen about a lack of openly gay men winning Academy awards

Sam Smith: I want to dedicate my Oscar to the LGBT community

Sam Smith has dedicated his best original song Oscar to the LGBT community after referring to a lack of openly gay men winning Academy awards.

Ian McKellen: 'Why has no openly gay man ever won the best actor Oscar?' Read more

As he picked up the award for best original song for Writing’s on the Wall from Spectre, he referenced a quote by Ian McKellen from a Guardian interview about homophobia within the film industry.

“I read an article a few months ago by Sir Ian McKellen and he said no openly gay man had won an oscar,” Smith said. “If this is the case, I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community around the world. I stand here tonight as a proud gay man and I hope that we can all stand as equals one day.”

The host from two years ago, Ellen DeGeneres, endorsed his speech on Twitter.

Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) Congrats @samsmithworld on a beautiful speech and @ladygaga on a moving performance #Oscars

Smith beat the favourite for the Oscar, Lady Gaga, after the latter performed an emotional rendition of her song Til It Happens to You from campus rape documentary The Hunting Ground. Gaga’s performance was introduced by Joe Biden, who called for more awareness of sexual abuse in colleges.