Recent Oscar winner Sean Penn is urging California to officially recognize Harvey Milk’s birthday, the AP reports. On Tuesday, Penn will appear alongside State Senator Mark Leno to reintroduce a bill that would make the late gay-rights activist’s birthday, May 22, a "day of significance." Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the proposed bill last year on the grounds that Milk’s birthday should be celebrated only in San Francisco and not all of California. Penn won the Best Actor Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards for portraying Harvey Milk in the biopic Milk.
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Comments (1-15) of 15 Add your comment
Why not celebrate him nationally? He’s become more than just a symbol of gay rights in San Fransisco…
Good for Penn and Milk! But I do have to agree that Harvey was really just centered in S.F. during his advocating life.
I don’t think this is so much about where he was based as what he represented and what he sacrificed, especially given the recent vote on gay marriage in California.
Pretty funny Sean Penn commentary http://beema.wordpress.com/
He already has a statue! I can see this money going somewhere useful!
Portland, Oregon renamed a major street for Rosa Parks – Rosa never set foot in Oregon, or the Pacific NW as far as I know. Yet she represents great unassuming courage… and more. Ideas and individuals CAN change the world. Which is more meaningful? naming stadiums for corporations that go bankrupt? Or days, streets, parks, monuments, gardens for people whose lives and courage to be truthful have inspired significant portions of the populace? It is ridiculous to say that Milk’s influence was only in San Francisco. I vote for national recognition and applaud Penn for this effort. Pick up the chant.
Portland, Oregon renamed a major street for Rosa Parks – Rosa never set foot in Oregon, or the Pacific NW as far as I know. Yet she represents great unassuming courage… and more. Ideas and individuals CAN change the world. Which is more meaningful? naming stadiums for corporations that go bankrupt? Or days, streets, parks, monuments, gardens for people whose lives and courage to be truthful have inspired significant portions of the populace? It is ridiculous to say that Milk’s influence was only in San Francisco. I vote for national recognition and applaud Penn for this effort. Pick up the chant.
What a pathetic display. To trumpet a depraved life, lived sadly. The gay “rights” supporters are on the wrong side of history. Stop warring against your nature, embrace your true self. Live free of the despair the gay life offers. Get out. There is always hope. All you have to do is take the first step.
Its about time. This important person who fought for civil rights, needs to be fully recognized. If we recognize Columbus who did not discover American, and Martin for his contributions to civil rights, why not! Thanks Mr. Penn
Stop warring against your nature, embrace your true self.————That’s what I did 10 years ago, after warring against my nature for 10 years. Yes, I finally had to admit that I’m queer. It was either that or contemplate suicide.
So, let me get this right. He wants the state to honor a guy just because that guy used to stick his thing in another guy’s butt? Am I missing something here. Doesn’t there seem to be something wrong with that?
Yes, that is exactly why he wants the state to honor him. Not for any other reason. What a brilliant, insightful man you are.
You’re not very bright are you?
Greg, you asked if you were missing something here. Yes, you are. A brain.
I live in San Francisco and the most obvious tribute would be to rename part of Castro Street after Harvey.
Castro from Market to 18th St. would be perfect and this would have overwhelming support.