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Alan speaks with Dustin Lance Black, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of 'Milk,' about the president's support of same-sex marriage
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And I'll tell us what -- welcome Dustin Lance Black screenwriter producer director -- board member the American foundation for equal rights.
The leading -- leading the lawsuit against a California prop eight.
-- also related -- the new movie Virginia opening in theaters may eighteenth.
Lance thank you so much going on tonight appreciate very much.
-- to play just a little clip of your acceptance speech for milk.
The Academy Awards in 2009 when I was.
Thirteen years old my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio Texas to California.
And I heard the story of Harvey Milk.
-- gave me hope.
Give me -- hope.
Live my life leukemia hope that one day I can live my life openly as who I am and then maybe even I could fall -- -- and when they get married.
The UN is -- use and I promise that they will come when nationally.
We have.
Equality and I thought that was a beautiful moment.
-- thank you very much -- I was I was scared out of my mind yeah because he done got the word that.
I would there was not a plan and it was -- right from the harder -- you -- written some of that I'm just curious who was so well done.
I think I you know you never know you're gonna win or not and then there was one -- -- more competitive categories that night.
So I had rehearsed a little bit of perhaps what I would say and and -- I think -- been on my mind it was.
You're fighting so hard in different areas.
For.
Equal protection for.
Gay and lesbian people but if we don't take it to the federal government at some point it won't apply to the whole country and so really the most important word -- Apple's -- -- he -- federal.
Yeah exactly and you know it's ultimately it's gotta be you can't just have to recognize in one state but not another stage across a state -- you know what your status is.
But I suppose you had a moment of bliss.
When the president made that announcement yesterday.
You know I did I I lose I was surprised I never thought you'd go there for.
And you got clear.
At this point in the campaign.
You -- that I against them to give did you were you upset was in I know that you came under some fire for an op Ed piece she wrote.
Which was not as laudatory as some people would have liked and some people like you would reversed her position which -- really had.
No you know I'm I'm an independent.
I apartment opponents the -- we built our foundation is with conservatives.
And -- liberals you know we have David Boies and titles and arguing.
The -- her equal managed.
You know so about two weeks ago I said I did not bad where I.
I just took a look at both candidates for president and discuss.
Who I thought might come down side of equality.
Soonest and and I really tablets and -- them -- up in the air and I'm not sure we should go right there.
Until one comes down.
Until one comes on the side -- full quality.
Control lost didn't we look for the lesser of two -- and we just -- all our votes that direction you and I both.
There are forever taken for granted now I can't lot of heat -- saying that.
And I knew it would.
You have been a lot and done.
-- -- -- -- Mean I I made that most proud of my copy for first -- a little bird -- like the cup they can you mom and in this debate in my heart -- hope.
That it would encourage.
The candidates to take a more.
-- progressive stance unequal match.
And we -- -- you not sure you are going to be five days later.
Hash we you're not sure whether you support Obama for reelection and now you do -- -- always that you're going to support him.
I don't know I would not sure the next one and now you feel more sure.
Yeah absolutely -- -- more -- shortened and the and partly it's because of what he says that this I think what you said.
I -- that he walked us through his process.
Yeah the American that the process a lot of Americans -- have to go through both.
PE -- on both sides of the aisle Dick Cheney to that proves that.
Think -- through that process.
Laura Bush has been through that process.
You know certainly Ted -- has been that process.
Have been in a lot of people on the left -- well I got a lot feel you are Democrats who also are sort of -- and nephews.
And then using they -- -- -- they get to know more and more gay and lesbian people.
They did -- -- -- a Mormon family is a current.
Are you a Mormon now -- you can see yourself a Mormon.
Not you know I'm not active in the church and attended the church for some time now but most of -- intriguingly it's still.
And -- -- does that your have a position on gay rights on gays in general.
Reality that the church doesn't have a great history.
Who -- eight game losing people in the church I would say they've also been involved and it's been a lot of the work I've done.
In the past three years has to reached its -- proposition eight which they had a big role in helping finance.
He a lot of work I've done -- has been to recapture the church introduce ourselves open -- -- -- some people to the church leadership came looking for him into the church leadership to do think -- -- change -- I actually think we've come a long way in three years.
You say -- -- -- church leadership is evolving itself as well.
I think it's in its.
It's that the glory beacon opium is you -- people sure they -- and confusing some of the policies you they have it openly gay bishop now.
If they they've they started to discuss.
Being gay and lesbian.
Differently in church.
I think it's no longer something that you.
Have to -- basic just electric shock here before.
And seemed like been in these are all recent changes.
I think the one place weeks.
We -- commonality.
Was saying hey you have the highest incidence.
-- teen suicide.
In your religion.
You know National League game I think it's four times more likely -- and if you end in conservative areas like this and nine times more likely and I was able to -- -- and they heard -- unclear none of us want that.
We got to be able to fix.
Rather who who -- better ambassador than you are some of -- Mormon background.
Two to relay that message to to the church although I don't think Mitt Romney is gonna change any time soon.
Well you know income to Mitt Romney and it's it's really been disappointing have to say I.
It seems as Obama has become.
More open minded on this issue more inclusive.
I was actually shocked.
Yesterday to hear -- -- statement coming out of his campaign pardon.
Their position.
That's not only do they not believe in equal marriage her game I think people but not even civil unions or anything that would years.
Talking about -- -- -- don't ask don't total.
You know this was it was it was really disheartening and I actually think that it's out of step.
With a lot of mormons in this country.
And I can actually think he's more concerned is easy -- They're articulate -- they that perception is of the Mormon Church itself is quite conservative on social issues.
So I'm surprised that you would and you would know more than -- that the church actually is progressing to some extent but Mitt -- a little behind the curve on -- one.
You know I think I'm probably more a lot in with the leadership -- of the leadership of the church some of the older.
The leaders coo coo you -- didn't veteran Trevor and I think it's a generational divide.
But I think some of it is younger feeling.
They don't feel that way and I think partly because they've met game has been people.
The -- -- just centered in election year -- you talk anymore.
-- -- a lot different kinds of people and and I do think it.
-- army seems more and more to look like most conservative.
Side of that church and and -- anything I really.
It SA today expressed my problem my troubles with prominent position I don't want to include -- That I believe it -- mormons feel this way I don't want to get an attack on the.
Rodeo you know well unfortunately what -- what's likely to happen is it will be you know perhaps that.
-- -- in government evangelicals are speaking out about.
The religion itself apart in the gay issue.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- The ninth circuit of course spoke out against -- upheld what the judge and said.
What's gonna happen next you see that going to the Supreme Court.
You know I know that the if not this case in our lawyers it's and they will continue to cases -- important -- -- this Supreme Court.
It's our belief that.
-- If you're married in one state you should be able to marry in all fifty states.
That this is a fundamental right.
The Supreme Court -- and so in previous decisions.
And we want to make sure that every American has that right and and until that enjoyed the federal level it is they are still second -- marriages I hate to say that.
I -- to celebrate.
Marriage passing in New York.
But I also -- that that doesn't enjoy the rights Social Security or immigration.
Role of the federal benefits and so.
I enjoy it would it it it makes more sense.
That we have.
A ruling on -- -- the federal level to me.
It's amazing and wonderful that you have those David Boies and Ted Olson teaming up that's the bush vs gore you know the term peace and here they are together -- And I think if there are probably.
It's very public and as we you know in our victories.
You know they can't help but.
Appreciate each other and become pals and and the watch inventory -- When we -- interior victory rally.
Some sort of fits really well in the Israel as his favorite pictures to watch -- embracing each other over this -- And I was -- All -- -- Olsen but the Olsen was on with -- -- we have eleven Evan Wilson on later tonight he was on that earlier on TV with.
Ted Olson and just to -- Olson with whom I normally disagree and he was solicitor general for bush and yet he is so eloquent and wonderful on this issue.
Oh yeah I know he's absolutely ending their -- there's been many times -- this amendment he's talked about why he's doing in this case.
The people he met through this case the story featured in her cuteness I mean -- He feels this is a very deep level and and defense and the -- you know we probably don't agree on much but we certainly agree on this.
And I think it's so important I feel like until we -- this debate gay and lesbian rights.
Out of the -- -- -- debate out of the political.
Realm it's not a true civil rights aren't true civil rights I should not be political.
And that's why it's and have those attorneys as they advocates.
It's been it was a stroke of genius by our -- irritation.
I check different.
And and then you know.
I even thought he got caught them together he convince them to work together -- -- Chad Griffin.
Had heard at a grocery store I believe.
This isn't some sort of -- through some gossip in the Rob Reiner.
That maybe channels and happened and if you -- cannot -- people should be able treatment.
And we kind of surprising and he reached out.
Ted Olson confirmed that and I actually believe it was Ted Olson has were looking for -- argue listen who suggested that -- -- Well that's really -- -- I thank you -- and I thought it or audience about this.
And thank you for the work you do and let's hope we continue on this road of progress I thank you for your time tonight.
Don't hear much.
