Sean Penn Seeks Statewide Harvey Milk Day on May 22 in California

by Jarrett Martineau | March 3, 2009 at 03:48 pm

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Although the controversial Proposition 8 vote passed in California last November, Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn has given new life to the fight for same-sex rights, by joining in a call for a statewide day to be observed on May 22nd — to acknowledge and honor the work of gay rights activist Harvey Milk.

Harvey Milk Day would not be a holiday, although, it would ask teachers and observers to remember Milk's fight for equal rights, prior to his untimely assassination.

Penn, who recently won an Oscar for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in Gus van Sant's recent biopic Milk, has been a longtime human rights activist and an outspoken critic of discrimination against same-sex couples.

Fresh from his Best Actor Oscar win for portraying slain gay-rights leader Harvey Milk, Sean Penn joined politicians and activists in California on Tuesday to push for a day to honor the man he portrayed in Milk.

Harvey Milk Day on May 22 would not be a holiday, but teachers would recall how the San Francisco supervisor fought for equal rights before his assassination more than 30 years ago.

"It is important that we remember Harvey Milk for his spirit, his courage and his activism," Penn, dressed in black, told reporters gathered in San Francisco's Tosca Café, which shares the name of Milk's favorite opera. "Harvey taught us the importance of standing up for what you believe in. He showed us the value of never giving up, and he proved that action creates change."

Penn was joined by politicians and civil rights leaders, including gay-rights activist Cleve Jones (played in Milk by Emile Hirsch). He said that so many have been inspired by the story since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar proposal by state Sen. Mark Leno last September that the governor is unlikely to reject the measure a second time.