Gay rights drama bumped from TV schedule for Trump speech
The creator of new gay rights miniseries When We Rise is not happy – after the show was bumped from its schedule slot for Donald Trump.
Dustin Lance Black previously won an Oscar for his work on Milk, a biopic of murdered gay rights hero Harvey Milk.
He has penned an upcoming drama miniseries focusing on the LGBT rights movement, When We Rise, which debuts on ABC next month.
But the show, which had been set to air over consecutive nights from February 27 until March 2, has been bumped from the ABC schedule on Febrile 28, in favour of President Trump’s first speech to Congress.
Black called on ABC to rethink the decision.
Sharing a Deadline report about the move, he added: “I will urge ABC Network to do all they can to insure #WhenWeRise does NOT get #Trumped. Your raised voices will help.”
Deadline had explained: “Owing to ABC News’ special report, President Donald Trump’s Address to Congress, When We Rise will air as planned on Monday, February 27, will take a break the next night while Trump speaks, and resume broadcasting two hours a night,Wednesday through Friday, March 1-3, from 9-11 PM.”
Black said previously: “I think a lot of people who voted for Donald Trump will love this show. I don’t see this show as the type of show that’s only trying to speak with half the country. That’s not what this is all about.
“I didn’t write this show for half the country. I think if Donald Trump actually watches the show, he might like the show.”
Following online harassment from ultra-conservatives, he accused the alt-right movement of waging a “war” against the show.
He said: “I want to say because this show is under attack by the alt-right online. We have been targeted. We’ll get absolutely zero ratings on every internet platform.
“But this show is not a war. We are not against anyone. Every single person in this world is a minority in one way or another. It just depends on how you slice the pie. And this show tells us how we are related.”
Black recently hit out at actors who lie about 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.”
Black is currently engaged to Olympic diver Tom Daley.
