Milk writer Dustin Lance Black hits out at Hollywood stars who lie about their sexuality
Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black has hit out at actors who stay in the closet and lie about their sexuality.
The screenwriter and director made the comments in an interview with Attitude Magazine.
Black, who recently penned a drama series focusing on the LGBT rights movement, When We Rise, spoke about issues facing gay actors in Hollywood.
Speaking to the magazine, Black hit out at major Hollywood stars who spread lies in order to conceal their sexuality.
He said: “I have no respect for someone who lies about their sexuality.
“At the very least say ‘no comment,’ just keep your personal life personal. But if you’re going to closet yourself, that sends a negative message.”
Elsewhere, he disagreed with suggestions that institutional homophobia in Hollywood on the part of film studios and TV networks would limit roles for out actors.
The director insisted: “I’ve never encountered homophobia in casting from the studios or networks, not once, not ever.
“Where you encounter it is with the agents and the managers, they’re the ones who have an outdated notion of the price an actor might pay if it’s discovered that they’re LGBTQ…often they don’t want to see anything happen that might compromise their investment.
“I think they cripple their actors because they stunt the star’s ability to be open and honest, and an audience can feel that.”
Black is currently engaged to Olympic diver Tom Daley.
Read the full interview in the February issue of Attitude Magazine, on sale now.
