Sean Penn campaigns for a Harvey Milk day

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Just a week after winning the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, Sean Penn is now pushing to see the state of California officially recognize the gay activist on his birthday, May 22, each year.

Penn held a press conference yesterday with state Sen. Mark Leno, who's announcing plans to "reintroduce a bill designating Milk's birthday a "day of significance" encouraging schools to conduct commemorative exercises on Milk's life and contributions," Variety reports.

Last year California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the exact same bill, which was introduced by Leno when he was an Assembly member. Schwarzenegger then claimed that Milk was worthy of being honored, but argued the day should be limited to San Francisco, rather than be a statewide affair. Perhaps an Oscar or two might help change the Terminator's mind?

Previously > Gearing -- and gaying -- up for the Academy Awards