Sean Penn Fights for Harvey Milk Holiday

Penn wields the power of his Oscar.

Hopes his Oscar will help.

Sean Penn is hoping to use his Oscar as an agent of change. The actor, who won the Best Actor prize for his portrayal of openly-gay San Francisco Board of Supervisors member, Harvey Milk, is pushing for Milk's birthday to be recognized as a "day of significance" in California. He's facing some tough opposition, however, from California's fine governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill last year and maintains that Milk's birthday should only be recognized in San Francisco. However, State Senator Mark Leno plans to reintroduce a bill today that argues that Penn's Oscar win proves Milk has a larger significance. And Penn's going to help him do it. The actor will reportedly be at Leno's side when he introduces the bill.

We're of two minds on this issue. On the one hand, Milk certainly deserves to be recognized and honored - officially - for his contribution to gay rights, human rights, and the tolerance he fought so hard to inspire in others. And not just in San Francisco. On the other hand, a day honoring Harvey Milk would mean so much more if the ideals Harvey stood for were fully realized.

Until gay marriage is legal in California, it's hard to celebrate the equality, optimism, and opportunity Harvey devoted his life to. But maybe you have to start somewhere. What do you think about honoring Harvey Milk with a "day of significance"?