Dustin Lance Black Speaks at Duplex Diner

Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black spoke about California's Proposition 8, the state of LGBT advocacy and the upcoming biopic on former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover at an Equality Matters-sponsored forum at the Duplex Diner in the District on Tuesday, March 29.

Moderated by former Advocate reporter Kerry Eleveld, who is now Equality Matter's editor; the event drew more than 75 people to the popular Dupont Circle eatery. And it also took place against the backdrop of the federal court case that could invalidate Prop 8, the Obama administration's decision to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act and the implementation of the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

"I do think people are suffering because they are still unable to get marriages," said Black. The Ninth U.S. Circuit of Appeals on March 24 denied a motion to lift a stay on marriages for same-sex couples in California until the Prop 8 case's appeals process concludes. "Gays and lesbians are still treated as second class citizens so waiting for six months is a problem."

Black also co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights. "It was a fantastic challenge for us," he said, referring to the Prop 8 case. "We had to make the strongest case possible to make sure gays and lesbians are protected under the 14th Amendment."

Black also said he is "very excited" about the White House's position on DOMA and "thrilled" over the end of DADT-he grew up in a military family. Black also attended the ceremony at which Obama signed the DADT repeal bill into law.

"I will continue to put pressure on any administration until we have full equality," stressed Black, who participated and spoke at the National Equality March in Washington, D.C., in Oct. 2009. "I get a little frustrated when we throw lavish dinners for our president and we pat him on the back."

He told EDGE that Republicans have the same responsibility to support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act and other pro-LGBT measures. He singled out those GOP lawmakers who continue to signal they would oppose ENDA as hypocritical. "Here we are talking about jobs," said Black. "ENDA says everyone regardless of sexual orientation [and gender identity] should have the right to get a job."

Black also discussed his Mormon upbringing. He said half of his family remains in the church, but he also narrated the 2010 documentary--8: The Mormon Proposition--about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' support of Prop 8. "I don't think they ever expected the negative reaction they got after Prop 8," he said. "They are incredibly conscious of their PR."

He conceded, however, LDS officials are taking what he described as little steps towards addressing homeless LGBT teenagers in Utah and their support of non-discrimination measures in the Beehive State. "I don't think we can let up," said Black.

Black won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Milk in 2009. He also won two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work on the HBO series Big Love, which features a polygamous family. Black also wrote the 2008 film Pedro that chronicled HIV/AIDS activist Pedro Zamora's life.

J. Edgar is scheduled for release next year, but Black described the former FBI director as someone who had "extraordinary power" who "hid who he was and attacked people."

Charles Francis, founder of the [Frank] Kameny Papers Project, described Hoover's closet as "pathological" during a question and answer session. "It was a sad closet," he said. "He was going after gay people. It was just that he was a sad and cruel guy."

Black also responded to recent criticisms from the gay blogosphere that he had purposely omitted references that Hoover cross-dressed. He said he wanted to avoid what he described as tabloid rumors, but he defended J. Edgar.

"This is a gay movie," said Black.