Stay Weird

After watching the Oscars last weekend, I sat back and thought about the messages that many of the Oscar winners promoted during their acceptance speech.  It is well recognized that the Oscars and other award-presenting events are now used as a platform for social action.  Whether it is Kanye West demanding that Beyoncé wins “best album” or it be Julianne Moore raising awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, superstars are using their fame in new and profound ways.

This year, Graham Moore gave my favorite speech. He won the Oscar for best-adapted screenplay for the movie, “The Imitation Game.”  The film is based on the story of Alan Turing, who was a brilliant computer scientist, but was prosecuting for being gay. During Moore’s speech, he used his limited moments in the public eye to speak to the young viewers.  He told the world that when he was 16 years old, he attempted suicide because he felt “weird” and “different.”  He went on to encourage young people who currently feel that way to continue being “weird.”  He promised them that one day they will fit in.  Somewhere.

This speech speaks to the article we read for class, Information-Seeking Practices during the Sexual Development of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals: The Influence and Effects of Coming Out in a Mediated Environment.  Similar to the “It Gets Better” campaign, the Oscars and other televised events promote messages that speak to groups of people that potentially feel alienated.  This message in particular is directed at lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, due to the subject of the movie, however it also speaks to individuals who feel different in other ways.

What struck me about Graham Moore’s speech is the realization that now young people who are questioning their sexuality or who are feeling alienated for other reasons do not necessarily have to seek out messages about how they are feeling.  Now, it’s right in front of them through various means.  Now, these messages do not necessarily give them information about their sexuality, however, it encourages them to learn, and the messages let them know that they are not alone.  Ellen DeGeneres, for example, is a prominent lesbian figure, and is extremely open about her sexuality in the public eye.  This sends a positive message to young people who are discovering their sexuality in a way that they don’t even have to seek out.

I think it’s important to recognize the availability and presence of gay, lesbian, and bisexual awareness in our media today.  This allows individuals who may question their sexuality to find a sense of confidence by understanding and knowing that there are people like them in the world who have succeeded.  

Works Cited:

Bond, B. J., Drogos, K. L., Hefner, V. “Information-Seeking Practices during the Sexual Development of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals: The Influence and Effects of Coming Out in a Mediated Environment.” Sexuality & Culture 13 (2008):32-50.