The gay rights movement has always been pockmarked with "traitors" from within (Roy Cohn, anyone?), but the treachery always came from the right, not the left. That all changed a few days ago when Perez Hilton posted x-rated pics of Dustin Lance Black, a beloved, rising star in the movement. Black won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Milk, Gus Van Zandt's ferociously moving bio-pic. He burst into the limelight with a poignant acceptance speech aimed at lonely, isolated gay kids.
Before we get to the betrayal by the bleached Brutus,
three things you should know about Black:
- He's hot.
- He's eloquent.
- He's hot.
Did I mention he's hot? Cuz he's really hot.
(Sorry, all G-rated. I'm not going to aid and abet Hilton's betrayal). Heat factor aside, Perez Hilton is a traitor. Of the worst kind. Dustin Lance Black is not the latest Larry Craig. He is not the newest version of Ted Haggard. He's not a TV or movie star. He's not a best-selling author or a polarizing figure with a media platform. He's a guy committed to helping gay kids overcome the stigma, bullying and isolation they feel in schools, churches and often, in their own families. Last night, Black was honored by Lifeworks, an organization that links mentors with gay youths, providing them with a safe space and positive and affirming role models.
Yet, Hilton threw him under the bus.
Just to give you a sense of who Perez Hilton betrayed, here's the transcript of Dustin Lance Black's Oscar acceptance speech:
"I wanna thank my mom, who has always loved me for who I am even when there was pressure not to. But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by the government or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally, across this great nation of ours. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you, God, for giving us Harvey Milk."
Dustin Lance Black has heart. He's a green shoot sprouting from the darkness cast by the often ossified tree trunks of institutional organizations like HRC. Perez Hilton stomped on it with the heel of a heavy, steel-reinforced boot. He didn't just publish run-of-the-mill x-rated pictures; they were shocking, TRIPLE XXX photos guaranteed to repulse Straight America. Perez Hilton betrayed Dustin Lance Black and everything he stood for. Namely, us. Every man, woman and child who's ever been forced to prove their humanity should be sickened by what Perez Hilton did.
Instead of elevating Black to higher ground, Hilton elevated him to the hook pinatas swing from. He took a guy who's helping millions reconcile faith and family with their sexual orientation and turned him into a porn star.
Dustin Lance Black is not a victim of friendly fire; he is the victim of a premeditated character assassination. When Black saw the blood on the floor he must've looked up expecting to see the Huns on the right holding the knife. Instead, he saw one of his own.
As he staggered back against the wall, you can just imagine what Black must have thought: "Et tu, Perez?"
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.