SEAN PENN FIGHTS FOR GAY RIGHTS

Academy award-winning actor Sean Penn is actively showing his support for gay and lesbian equality in a number of political arenas.

It’s been reported that Penn will hold a press conference today, along with San Francisco Senator Mark Leno, in California to announce a bill that aims to establish Harvey Milk Day in that state.

Penn played the character of slain gay politician Harvey Milk in the acclaimed film Milk.

The bill, which is very similar to one which was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last year, would designate May 22 as a day of special significance in California, encouraging schools to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on Harvey Milk’s life and his contributions to the state.

Meanwhile the actor has again spoken out against the banning of same-sex marriage in various states in the US.

“I was once asked to tell the difference between luxury and necessity for a human being. The right to equality for all, including homosexuals, is of course a necessity. That’s why this right will become a reality and I think in its own way this film will be part of that. This train has left.”

He told reporters in France at the launch of Milk in that country that he hopes that the film will be screened for US President Barack Obama.

“Eventually we are hoping for a White House screening,” he said.