I am a junior at Hope College. I’d like to point out that this article is about the students and the campus, and their RIGHTS as liberal arts students, supposedly trained in critique and analysis of all things, including our culture, to be allowed a space to talk about issues important to us. This article is about showing the ludicrousness of a college that renders its students “incapable of civil discussion!!”

And I’m embarrassed that it had to be my college.

Why do you think Black “took photos of himself having sex?” No one involved has ever claimed that that was the situation– he did not believe the pictures taken included genital data and demanded that the pictures be deleted when he knew what they were. Are you a liar or do you know things contrary to the story both Black and Delancey have told?

If I do my math correctly in 2006 DLB was over 30 and should have known better. In 2006 there had been plenty of celeb sex tapes out (Paris Hilton, Pam Anderson, Kim Kardashian, Colin Farell, etc).

A man who takes photos of himself having sex isn’t a victim you idiot. if the photos were taken with a hidden camera that is a different story. Also, a guy who has unsafe sex in this day an age and catches something isn’t a victim either.

The pictures were taken in 2006, not 2009. That’s a significant difference.

Of course, Black did not give permission for nude pictures to be taken and demanded that they be erased.

You ignore those facts when you judge him.

“Blame the victim” is a game that never goes out of style, but it is always wrong.

As for the screenwriting class, it was just that, how does one convert a book, story, or whatever into a movie. Yet again, nothing to do with sex, safe or non safe. This group wasn’t asking to host him for his sexuality or orientation but for the experience of talking to an OSCAR WINNING WRITER.

How many gay men working in Hollywood with Black’s access and looks have not dated porn stars? None of the ones I’ve talked with enough to trust what they told me, actually. The worlds intersect a lot more than you apparently think they do.

You equate Dustin Black with Larry Craig and Elliot Spitzer. Black has never voted for anti-gay laws. He has never claimed to be an agent for sanctimonious moral clean up. If you want me to engaged with your ideas, you need to make them less stupid.

Black is not a hypocrite– where has he said he was perfect? Having worked with kids, I can tell you that you that he would be able to speak more effectively from his position– “I did something dumb, it hurt me, don’t do it”– than from a pedestal of pretended perfection.

If you really believe that the gay community was based on diversity, why do you want Black marginalized within it? You have not just expressed an opinion– you have repeatedly

but somehow we mind if they are closeted republican senators in a airport bathroom, or democratic governor with a call girl?

It’s the hypocrisy there that’s at issue (and law breaking). Did Black break the law here?

You aren’t going to be able to control individual behavior, or past statements and actions. You will never have a perfect representative. That’s not how it works.

a prodigal son needs to leaver before he comes back. i am not ok with black simply slipping from scandal to limelight; its a troubling precedent. i can think of better gay leaders to speak to kids about safe sex, none of which are barebacking porn stars at the moment. there something you dont get about the gay community – its based on diversity, and not everyone has to think hes the bees knees.

“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.”

Gay men love to rip each other down.

That’s what we need to get past more than anything else.

Gay people need to work hard on developing a sense of loyalty to each other. By attacking Black, you help destroy someone who has done great things for you, if you are actually a gay man and not a trolling bigot. I’m not defending Black’s actions here, but he is not defending them either.

@cam: so you wouldnt mind a straight political activist who was caught on tape with a porn star? gay isnt the issue, gay sex is awesome, having what it takes to be a leader is what im addressing.

Most people have sexual indiscretions in their lives. If you’ve never done anything that could hurt your reputation if pictures were sold for money, no wonder you are so eaten with jealousy and hatred. You need to stop worrying about Dustin Lance Black and either get laid or get therapy.

no one seems to want to deal with the content of the photos, and their implications towards black as a public face. there is a difference between being a person standing at the front of the movement and standing behind an idea where the idea is at the forefront; the idea cannot be corrupted by the actions of one individual. i dont think any less of black as a person, i dont care much for what he does or doesnt do in his personal life. but once that info is out there, i think its a shame to give him a free pass without addressing it. the breech of the right to privacy cannot blind us to what was revealed at the expense of the legitimacy of the whole of us.

I sincerely hope that your most embarrassing moments are shared against your wishes with the world.

And I hope no one shows you more compassion or mercy than you show others.

You are disgusting.

As for everyone making DLB the victim because the photos got out publically…..puh-leeze knock it off. Someone who is really that concerned about cocks being seen shoved up their holes without conodoms wouldn’t have allowed a camera to be in the vicinty when he is having sex. he works in the film world so i’m sure that he knows how a camera works. he is smart enough to win an academy award but not smart enough to keep his private life private.

I like being on my high horse. It’s Dustin bareback who has been elevated in our community who shoouldn’t have been elevated.

time for me to trot off!!

Please check out the actual facts of the story before you continue to spread lies:

http://www.iptrademarkattorney.....wsuit.html

Black was involved in a relationship with Delancy and betrayed by him. No one who exhibited those pictures thought Black gave permission for them to be taken. Anyone continuing to attack Black based on those pictures is continuing a crime against him. Certainly, no one has accused Black of being less sexually ethical than Dan Savage admits to being, right? He is non-monogamous and does not use condoms with his boyfriend.

But then I’m wondering why he would consider going to this dump at all after being demonized. The students chose a bigoted college that treated a guest speaker with no respect. They are not cool enough to get to hear Dustin Lance Black.

Exhibition: “Art of Margaret Cogswell: River Fugues” DePree Art Gallery, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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The Last Lecture Series “Can You Count?” by Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger, professor of religion and chairperson of the department of religion, Maas Auditorium, 7 p.m. The Last Lecture Series gives Hope professors and faculty the chance to reflect on life and impart wisdom as they respond to the question, “If this was the last lecture of your career, what would you say?” Sponsored by Mortar Board honorary society.
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Hope College Concert Series features Osso String Quartet, DM Stith and a showing of Sufjan Stevens’ “The BQE”, Dimnent Memorial Chapel, 8 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, and will be $10 for the general public and $5 with Hope College or Calvin College I.D.