Post submitted by Hayley Miller, former HRC Associate Director of Digital and Social

Moonlight, which tells a moving story of a black gay man, received eight Academy Award nominations this morning. The film is nominated for: Motion Picture, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Original Score and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).

The film is based on a play by openly gay playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. Barry Jenkins, who is straight, is nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris are nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively.

Moonlight won Best Picture-Drama earlier this month at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Jenkins grew up in Miami’s Liberty City housing project, as did McCraney. Both attended the same elementary and middle school, although a few years apart. HRC recently sat down with Jenkins and McCraney (separately) to discuss the groundbreaking film.

HRC will honor Moonlight with the HRC Visionary Arts Award at the 2017 HRC Greater New York Gala next month.

LGBTQ ally Meryl Streep also made history this morning, become the most nominated actress in Oscars history. HRC will honor Streep as well at the New York Gala with the Ally for Equality Award.

HRC supporter Ava DuVernay was also nominated for the documentary 13^th.

The 89th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 26.