We knew that the respected filmmaker James Schamus would be receiving the lifetime achievement award but Oldman’s appearance came as a complete surprise.

Oldman had previously apologized in an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and last night, he began his presentation by reiterating his staunch support of the LGBTI community.

He then pointed out that his friend Schamus is the first person ‘married to someone of the opposite sex’ the receive Outfest’s highest honor.

It is presented in recognition of a body of work that has made a significant contribution to LGBT film and media.

His body of work as a writer, producer and studio head includes such LGBT-themed films as Brokeback Mountain, The Ice Storm, The Wedding Banquet and Milk.

When Schamus took the stage, he did not shy away from the recent controversy surrounding Oldman: ‘Gary, it means a lot to get this from you. Gary is a guy who we all know has sometimes been known to have a very large mouth but his hear is much, much bigger. What a great man.’

Schamus joked that in his prolific career, ‘even the straight movies were kind of weirdly queer.’

He also explained why he has always found LGBVT people and their stories to be so compelling.

‘I have always loved and appreciated and have been overjoyed to be around people who have the courage to push the envelope and to push identity and push what it means to stand up and say who you are and find a role and a place on a public stage and in a political atmosphere that was not always conducive and still isn’t perfectly so for those who are on the queer edge of what it means to be a human being.’

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