Dustin Lance Black, a screenwriter, producer, director and social activist who won an Academy Award for his biopic on the late civil rights activist Harvey Milk, will speak Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m. in Longwood University’s Jarman Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
Black won an Oscar and also a Writers Guild of America award for best original screenplay for the 2008 biographical film Milk, starring Sean Penn.
Black is a founding board member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which led the campaign against California’s Proposition 8, and is the writer of 8, a staged reenactment of the trial that led to a federal court’s overturn of the proposition. He continues to work for LGBT equality.
"We’re excited about Dustin’s visit, and we hope that students will take this opportunity to see an influential person," said Kelly Forsythe, assistant director of student activities. "The timing of his visit is purposeful—October is LGBT History Month—and another reason he’s coming is because the Virginia legislature is debating marriage equality. He wants to start having a presence in Virginia."
Black’s visit is sponsored by the Student Diversity and Inclusion Council, Lancer Productions and PRIDE.
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