Creative Arts Emmys: Dan Savage Tears Up During His 'It Gets Better' Speech

Dan Savage and husband Terry Miller received a standing ovation Saturday when they were presented with the Governors Award at the Creative Arts Emmys.

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The men were honored for their work on the “It Gets Better Project,” an anti-bullying campaign and video series that has earned submissions from stars and international figures including President Obama.

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“Terry Miller is my husband in Canada and boyfriend in America," Savage said during his acceptance speech. “He was the first to recognize the power of this project."  

It Gets Better supporter Neil Patrick Harris introduced Savage and Miller to the crowd, who were presented with the award by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chair Bruce Rosenblum.

Savage told reporters afterwards that he became emotional when seeing the crowd’s warm response.

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“The award is not for us. It’s for the project,” Savage said. “I think it’s a moment in our culture when it's broken through to the world that LGBT children were suffering and dying. The award means that the culture is reconciling itself to the needs of LGBT kids, who grow up in straight families and are often bullied by their own families.

“To get a standing ovation from that crowd was flabbergasting ... I actually teared up and then I couldn’t see to read the teleprompter and I had to wing it.”

The Creative Arts Emmys took place at the Nokia Theatre LA Live and will air Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. on Reelz Channel, the day before The Primetime Emmys.