OSCAR WINNER IN SEX TAPE SCANDAL

Photos from a sex tape featuring the Oscar-winning writer of the film Milk with another man have surfaced.

The explicit images of openly gay screenwriter Dustin Lance Black having sex with the as-yet-unidentified man – who is presumed to be the person who leaked the tape – have appeared across the internet.

Some have noted that the men do not wear condoms during their x-rated bedroom antics, which include oral and penetrative sex.

The tape, which appears to have been shot in November 2006, is reportedly being offered for sale to media outlets by the paparazzi photo agency Starzlife. Images from the video have been published on Perezhilton.com.

In a statement issued to E! Online on Friday, Black responded to the release of the images:

“It is unfortunate that individuals and other outside parties are trying to profit from material which is clearly private,” he said.

“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 apologise and cannot emphasise enough the importance of responsible sexual practices.”

It is understood that Black is taking legal action to stop further distribution of the pictures and video footage.

Black (35) came to international prominence during this year’s Oscar ceremony where he gave an impassioned acceptance speech in support of gay rights. He was awarded for writing the Best Original Screenplay for the acclaimed film, Milk.

The leaking of the images and video comes as Black is on the cover of the June/July issue of The Advocate and is featured in the magazine as the highest-ranked openly gay influential person under forty in the US.

Black, who grew up in a Mormon household, will be appearing as one of the Official Grand Marshals in New York’s gay Pride march at the end of the month.