Sam Smith dedicates his Oscar to the LGBT community

Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith hold their Oscars for Best Original Song. Credit: Reuters

Singer Sam Smith has dedicated his Oscar to the LGBT community.

Picking up the Best Original Song award with his writing partner Jimmy Napes, Smith said he stood there as "a proud gay man".

"I read an article a few months ago by Sir Ian McKellen and he said that no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar, and if this is the case, even if it isn't the case, I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community all around the world", Smith said.

"I stand here tonight as a proud gay man and I hope we can all stand together as equals one day."

"Congratulations and no jokes there," Chris Rock said, adding, "Not going to get me in trouble".

Smith and Napes won the Oscar for Writing's On The Wall from the Bond film Spectre.