Pasadena City College (PCC) slut-shamed the wrong Hollywood heavyweight — and paid for it. Literally.
The LA Times obtained documents through a Public Records Act request that reveal that Dustin Lance Black was paid $26,050 by PCC not to sue following the school’s decision to rescind its offer to have him give a commencement speech on May 9.
Black, who won a screenwriting Oscar for Milk in 2008, was expected to give the commencement speech until concerns were raised by PCC trustees over his online sex photos. In an open letter, which was published by the PCC student newspaper, Black hinted that he was considering legal action over the slight. Shortly after, PCC reinvited Black to give the commencement speech, an offer he accepted — along with $26,050 not to pursue future legal claims and an additional $3,000 honorarium for speaking. According to the official documents, Black and PCC also agreed not to discuss the deal publicly.
The Times reached out to the trustees of PCC and received a written statement from a spokesman saying, “The issue with Mr Black has been resolved, and the district has no further comment at this time.”
Eduardo Cairo, president of the school’s academic senate, which represents faculty interests, tells the Times that the payment was a “complete misuse of public funds. We’re extremely disappointed to hear that has happened.”
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