Dustin Lance Black Talks 2012 Election, Civil Rights Issues, and Upcoming “Earthquake” Film

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  • It’s a meeting of the Lances here on What’s Trending as Oscar-winning “Milk” screenwriter and Prop. 8 play “8” creator Dustin Lance Black sits down with guest host Lance Bass to chat about working on the J.J. Abrams-produced film, “Earthquake,” and thoughts on the upcoming presidential election.

    Dustin’s play, “8” became an online sensation after it was performed and live-streamed via YouTube in March 2012, featuring A-list stars such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Kevin Bacon. The play successfully presented a cultural and political response to California’s Proposition 8, which declared that only marriages between a man and a woman would be recognized as legal in the state.

    The stage play is now touring around the nation, with guest host Lance Bass set be appearing as the character Paul next month in San Diego!

    “Better than anything else,” he says about exposing the testimonies of the un-filmed Prop. 8 trial,”the truth shines a light that will set people free.”

    Speaking of the upcoming election, Dustin can identify one important issue that he believes is being dangerously undervalued: civil rights. While he’s heard a little bit of conversation about women’s rights, there’s been almost no discussion about gay and lesbian rights or racial minority equality.

    “What I would love people just to think about,” he says, “is the make-up of the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s where civil rights are decided. That’s where they’re codified.”

    “If you like the Prop. 8 play and you want that to become law, we can’t have that court become a 7 to 2 conservative court,” he continues. “Right now we have a balanced court, tipping a little bit conservative. If Obama stays in office, that’s how it’s going to stay.”

    Dustin also visits us during the final stretch Nation Bullying Prevention Month and gives his take on the media coverage. He voices his belief that all of the attention being paid to bullying right now can deceive people into thinking that the issue has only recently been cause for concern.

    “It’s always been that way,” he corrects. “We’re finally talking about it and the media is finally paying attention. And that is life-saving.”

    Dustin identifies building understanding as the key to bullying prevention, and he continues to work with his old church — the Mormon Church — to make sure that they’re moving forward and understanding who gay and lesbian people truly are.

    To keep up with Dustin’s projects, visit his website and follow him on Twitter.

    Check out guest host Lance Bass on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

    For all of your YouTube exclusives and interviews with today’s hottest celebrities innovating online, subscribe to What’s Trending and join us LIVE every weekday at noon pt/3 pm est on YouTube.

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