Dustin Lance Black
Dustin Lance Black
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Dustin Lance Black is an American screenwriter, director, and film producer.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: June 10, 1974
Still alive (no death date available)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession: Screenwriter, Director, Film Producer
Early Life and Background
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Dustin Lance Black was born on June 10, 1974, in Salem, Indiana. He grew up in a small town with his mother, who raised him as a single parent after his father's early death from HIV/AIDS. This personal experience would later shape his commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and AIDS awareness. Black moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19 to pursue a career in screenwriting.
Major Accomplishments
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Black has received numerous awards for his work, including:
Academy Award (2010): Best Original Screenplay for "Milk," a biographical drama about Harvey Milk's life and struggles.
Golden Globe Awards: Won two Golden Globes in 2011 for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama for his work on the film.
Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to writing "Milk," Black is known for:
Advocating for LGBTQ+ rights: He has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality, advocating for human rights in Iran, and raising awareness about AIDS.
Creating the 8 (2013) play, an adaptation of his Oscar-winning screenplay that honors Harvey Milk's legacy.
Impact and Legacy
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Dustin Lance Black is widely regarded as a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ representation on screen. His work has not only shed light on crucial social issues but also inspired a new generation of writers and advocates. As a testament to his impact, he was honored with the Hollywood Film Award for Screenwriter of the Year.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Dustin Lance Black's commitment to using his platform for social justice has made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry and beyond. His dedication to telling powerful stories about underrepresented communities has earned him numerous accolades, cementing his place as one of the most influential voices in contemporary filmmaking. As an openly gay writer-director-producer, Black continues to break down barriers for marginalized individuals and inspire future generations with his unyielding passion for human rights.
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Quotes by Dustin Lance Black
One of the great things about being married to my husband, who is also an impossible dreamer, is that we just do things.
My mom achieved so much more than the doctors said she ever would. I miss her.
I turned in a script that meant a lot to me and an executive at Warner Bros said he was disappointed in me. I took a hit of confidence and stepped away from film-making for some time.
Eventually my courageous Mom did something we do all too rarely. She got on a plane and she came to see me in L.A. - this place where we'd always been told sinners lived. She came to see my gay friends.
Mom got very heated about the new government policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. In her view it was going to allow closeted gay people into her military and she was really against it... she just assumed I agreed with her opinions.
Tom and I have never claimed to be perfect, whatever that means in a relationship. We're not trying to be anyone's example. We're living our lives and building our family and doing what we love.
Mom came from what has been called the poorest place in America - Lake Providence, Louisiana. She was born on the south side of the Mississippi which was mainly African American and even poorer than the rest.
I hope we build a son who's strong enough to stand up for other people. And if Donald Trump is out there teaching folks how to build walls, we're hoping to instil in our son the ability to know how to take them down.
I get emotionally attached to someone if I talk to them on the street corner for five minutes.
The drive to be a parent is strong. It's one of the most ingrained human traits there is.