Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black said
Monday that a tweet to Sam Smith about his 2009 Oscar win was an
attempt at humor.
In accepting his Oscar for Best
Original Song on Sunday, Smith quoted out actor Sir Ian McKellen as
saying that no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar. McKellen,
however, was only talking about actors.
(Related: Sam
Smith accepts Oscar as “proud gay man.”)
Black, who in 2009 won for Best
Original Screenplay for Milk and
is engaged to Olympic diver Tom Daley, tweeted in response:
“Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time
to stop texting my fiance.”
“Apologies for the mix up
@DLanceBlack,” Smith replied. “I'll be sure to check out your
films now x Belated Congrats on the Oscar x.”
Black later messaged, “Well this has
proven to be a lively day on Twitter. From humor to anger. The
former my intent... in defense of history. Much love to all,” then
added separately: “Dear Internet: @TomDaley1994 and @samsmithworld
are pals. They text. Thus my surprise Sam took me for a closet
case! Feel free to laugh.”