Best Actor winner Sean Penn (for Milk) caused an uproar in some quarters because of the actor's pro-gay equality, pro-Obama acceptance speech.
"Thank you. Thank you. You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns," Penn said, later adding "And finally, … for those who saw the signs of [anti-gay] hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
Later on, once again remarking on the anti-gay bigots outside the Kodak Theater, Penn said, "I'd tell 'em to turn in their hate card and find their better self … It's very sad in a way, because it's a demonstration of such cowardice, emotional cowardice, to be so afraid of extending the same rights to your fellow man as you would want for yourself."
Photo: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.
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