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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Vaishalee Raja, Communications Director
916-284-9187
vaishalee@eqca.org

EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors Statement on 'Milk' Oscar Wins

SACRAMENTO

Last night, actor Sean Penn and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black both won Academy Awards for their work in the film Milk, about the life and death of civil rights leader Harvey Milk. Penn received the award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Milk, while Black received the award for Best Original Screenplay. In response to their historic wins, Equality California Executive Director Geoff Kors released the following statement:

"Milk has brought the incredible life and work of Harvey Milk to millions and, in so doing, has helped move the quest for equality immeasurably forward. We are grateful to producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks for their vision, Sean Penn for channeling Milk's passion, perseverance and sacrifices, Dustin Lance Black for his powerful message of hope and acceptance, and the entire cast and crew for sharing this important part of history.

"Their wins and acceptance speeches were powerful reminders of the need to continue fighting for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, that same fight for which Harvey Milk gave his life."

Equality California is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots-based, statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to achieve equality and civil rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians.