Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black on Risking Career for LGBT Rights

Staff and Robert Scheer / Truthdig Feb 16, 2018 The Academy Award-winning screenwriter, producer and activist speaks to Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer about the risky but necessary decision to pause his career in pursuit of LGBT equality. Dig deeper ( 27 Min. Read )

Why ‘When We Rise’ Is Historic

Larry Gross / Truthdig Jun 5, 2017 The ABC miniseries, which aired earlier this year, tells the story of the “gay revolution” with an accuracy and complexity that has rarely been attempted—or achieved. Dig deeper ( 12 Min. Read )

Dustin Lance Black on the Orlando Massacre: ‘It Is Time to Disarm Hate’

Staff / Truthdig Jun 22, 2016 The "Milk" screenwriter offered his reasons to pause and consider the ongoing stories behind the LGBT nightclub tragedy. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Dustin Lance Black Speaks: Pasadena City College Officials Created ‘Toxic and Dishonest’ Atmosphere

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Apr 30, 2014 The president and board of trustees at Pasadena City College thrust their school into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons recently with a political and public relations debacle involving PCC alumnus and Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Behind the Twinkie Defense

By Paul Krassner Nov 18, 2012 News this week that Hostess will be shutting its doors brings back memories of psychiatrist Martin Blinder testifying that on the night before Dan White killed San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, White "just sat there in front of the TV set, binging on Twinkies." Another psychiatrist stated, “If not for the aggravating fact of junk food, the homicides might not have taken place.” Hostess shutting its doors brings back memories of psychiatrist Martin Blinder testifying that on the night before Dan White killed San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, White "just sat there in front of the TV set, binging on Twinkies." Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Schwarzenegger Gives Harvey Milk His Day

Staff / Truthdig Oct 12, 2009 California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has changed his tune about Harvey Milk Day, signing a bill on Monday to make May 22, Milk's birthday, a day of official commemoration for the slain San Francisco supervisor and gay rights activist. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

One Step Closer to Harvey Milk Day

Staff / Truthdig May 15, 2009 Friends and admirers of the late San Francisco supervisor and gay rights activist have been rallying to establish an annual commemorative day in his honor, and on Thursday, the California Senate approved a bill that would officially make Milk's birthday, May 22, Harvey Milk Day in the Golden State. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Sean Penn Calls for ‘Harvey Milk Day’

Staff / Truthdig Mar 4, 2009 Having been resoundingly honored for his onscreen portrayal of Harvey Milk, Sean Penn is now calling for a high honor for Milk, asking for an official "Harvey Milk Day" in California to commemorate the slain San Francisco politician and gay rights activist. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sean Penn Schools Prop. 8 Supporters in Oscar Speech

Staff / Truthdig Feb 23, 2009 Lest he miss an opportunity to speak his mind, Sunday night's Best Actor Oscar winner took a moment on the podium to encourage those who voted last November for California's Proposition 8, the anti-gay-marriage initiative, to rethink their choice. Turns out the Academy is actually made up of commie, homo-loving sons of guns. Update: Video Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Globes Cool to ‘Milk’

Staff / Truthdig Dec 11, 2008 Despite widespread acclaim and gushing praise from some tough critics, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association largely overlooked Gus Van Sant's "Milk" in choosing this year's Golden Globe nominees, although Sean Penn is among the HFPA's picks for best actor. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hollywood’s Closet Still Closed for Business

Larry Gross / Truthdig Nov 26, 2008 Gus Van Sant's "Milk" is the first major Hollywood "gay themed" film since “Brokeback Mountain,” and moreover (unlike “Brokeback”), this one is about openly gay activists, not tortured closet cases. Yet, once again, the lead gay roles couldn't be filled by openly gay actors. What's going on here? Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

Milk Comes to Life on the Big Screen

Staff / Truthdig Sep 6, 2008 Just in time to remind some Americans that the fight for gay rights is about much more than driving Wedge IssuesTM between political parties every election year, Sean Penn and what looks to be a promising lineup of co-stars are bringing the story of San Francisco city councilman and gay activist Harvey Milk to movie screens this fall. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )