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News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media

Dustin Lance Black pays Oprah a visit to discuss Milk win

If you weren't already in love with Oscar-winning screenplayer writer Dustin Lance Black, you will after watching his appearance on Friday's episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. He discusses what Oprah told him at a party a few days before the Oscars to calm his nerves as well as how he prepared for what to say to a billion people. And kudos for Oprah to showing millions more Dustin's moving words about Harvey Milk's legacy. 


Craig Young's picture

What I love

That he believes in paying it forward. That's a great belief. Good for him.
isoron's picture

So this is.....

a case of Oprah taking credit for what - Dustin's speech??????? So he should kiss the hem of HER robes?
Wheeler's picture

That was hilarious

 "What did Oprah's words mean to you, Dustin Lance Black? With everything you've been through in the last week, what we'd really like to hear about is your cocktail party chat with the host of this show.'
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Shizuma's picture

Wonderful, yet again.

It's so important for people to be told how many LGBT kids attempt suicide. I never did, but I seriously considered it more times than I can remember, and just recently told my parents about it. They were shocked, and I think most people would be at the statistics. The ignorance about how damaging negative societal views are is staggering.

Thank you, DLB, for being our voice.

(and, p.s., you're adorable. <3 )

dsc's picture

I never did tell my family about the night I decided to

kill myself.  I was sure they would be better off without me the only reason I didn't is because I couldn't destroy the evidence I was gay so it wouldn't have accomplished my goal.
Glenn's picture

The interview was wonderful

The interview was wonderful but what pushed this to awesome was the Oscar.  That was hilarious, especially the impish grin Lance had when he showed it. <3
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afhickman's picture

Oscar redeemed

afhickman

I finally got to see the movie last night in London, and I was amazed. It's much better than anything I had been led to believe. I especially appreciated the little moments in the film that were so telling, such as the telephone conversations Harvey had with young admirers and outcasts. Please, everyone who can spare a little extra cash, give to the Trevor Project or some such group. It's so important that we don't lose another generation of kids to suicide and AIDS and drugs. As to the film, Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black's Oscars were richly deserved. May Dustin go on to write a closet-full of great scripts.

"The mountain has wings."

duckiestoy's picture

Trevor Project a money pit?

I looked them up on one of the charity tracker sites and they don't appear to be very efficient: 

Trevor Project at Charity Navigator

 

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Insideguy's picture

What the Trevor Project does.

What are you doing to reach out to those kids, other than criticizing?  If you want improvement, get involved.  That was what Harvey Milk wanted us to do.

That's all I am saying... 

INSIDEGUY

Hollywood Marie's picture

Says whom?

Who exactly runs "Charity Navigator"?  I saw that they themselves are funded by donations (see the top of the page you linked). 

 

As for the actual charity, I have called the Trevor Project helpline and worked closely with them for panels and educational activities.  They have supplied my (and countless other public schools) with information, workshops, posters, stickers, etc. that really encourage students to come out or stop being homophobic or feel less alone.  I'll never know how many of my own students have seen their phone number in my classroom and called it one desperate night.  We've seen results from this organization and know it's not a "money pit" or "inefficient" so please do some actual research before making statements like that.

FAII's picture

Dustin looks exceptionally

Dustin looks exceptionally cute in that interview.
WW's picture

Bravo to Dustin & Oprah!

Sometimes Oprah has been criticized for not being supportive enough of the gay community, but here's another example where she's stood out. Oprah already did a post-Oscar show days before, so brava to her for devoting a special segment to Dustin Lance Black a few days later, and rebroadcasting his Oscar acceptance speech. It's so important that Dustin's message of hope to gay kids gets out there, along with the sad statistic that 1 out of 3 GLBT youths attempts suicide. And could we ask for a more articulate, sincere and photogenic spokesman? Go Dustin!
Insideguy's picture

DBL is

An elegant voice for the often muted youth of the world.  He has indeed paid it forward and saved lives.  Gays like Lance and Gus Van Sant, who live happy successful lives do indeed give them hope.  Gay ally Sean Penn has put a face on true heroism that LGBT kids now and in the future can point to with pride.

It would be incredible that some day MILK was screened in Civics classes at high schools. When they discuss things like political diversity, activism, and change,

That's all I am saying... 

INSIDEGUY

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chrlesdikkenson's picture

They were shocked, and I

They were shocked, and I think most people would be at the statistics. The ignorance about how damaging negative societal views are is staggering. korean fashion online