Sam Forgets Elton, Dustin & Other Openly Gay Oscar Winners

Is Sam Smith really the first openly gay Oscar winner?

Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith hold up their awards. (Photo: AP)

Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith won their Oscar for Writings On The Wall.

During his acceptance speech, Sam Smith incorrectly paraphrased a statement Ian McKellen made about the lack of openly gay Oscar winners.

During his speech, he said that he heard McKellen make a statement about the Academy Awards never before recognising an openly gay man, confessing that he was not sure whether or not that was true. Either way, Smith continued, “I stand here tonight as a proud gay man and I hope we can all stand together as equals one day.”