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Dustin Lance Black Barred From Michigan School
The Screenwriter has been refused admission to a discussion on sexuality in Hope College.
The writer behind the recently acclaimed film ‘Milk’, was invited by students to take part in the discussion as well as hosting a screenwriting class.
Richard Frost, Dean of Students in Hope College said that whilst Black was very welcome to hold a class, he felt it was a bad idea to allow him to speak publicly. Frost explained that this was because speakers with strong opinions on issues of gender or sexual orientation have caused trouble in the past:
"We had tried to do that in the late ’90s, with little success. Students and faculty on either side of the campus felt extremely hurt and marginalised”.
“We are willing to do these things, but for the college to do this, we have to be sure it’s educational. It’s back-and-forth and educational. It’s not advocacy”.
The students who had issued the invitation to Black are angry that the college will not provide them with a chance to openly talk about these issues and have arranged another event. There will now be a screening of Milk at a nearby cinema, followed by a discussion which will involve Black.
