In the wake of yesterday’s release leak of explicit NSFW photos purportedly from a private sex tape that was filmed in 2006, Academy Award-winning screenwriter (for Milk) Dustin Lance Black has issued a statement to E! News‘s Marc Malkin regarding this new scandal. From the tone of Black‘s statement, it seems he is not going to let the leaking of the photos/video stand in the way of his work:

“It is unfortunate that individuals and other outside parties are trying to profit from material which is clearly private. I have had the privilege to speak to people across the country, both gay and straight, on a number of critical issues including safe sex. More important than the embarrassment of this incident is the misleading message these images send. I apologize and cannot emphasize enough the importance of responsible sexual practices.”

And with that, DLB is brushing off his shoulders and moving forward undaunted. I understand that he is being honored this weekend here in LA for mentoring gay youth and will be among the grand marshals of the NYC Pride Parade in the coming weeks. Malkin also reports that, “Black is not allowing this hiccup to stop him from continuing his work in support of gay rights, particularly on issues pertaining to young people.” To be honest, this is the best way to respond to a matter like this. While I will forever contend that it is absolutely idiotic for anyone to video record themselves having sex, I can absolutely understand how people honestly believe that something like this would never happen to them.

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