GLAAD Lauds Milk's and Vicky's Oscar Wins
Sean Penn and Penelope Cruz
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has congratulated Milk and Vicky Cristina Barcelona on the films' victories at Sunday's Academy Awards. Milk picked up two awards: best actor for Sean Penn, who portrayed slain gay-rights activist/politician Harvey Milk, and original screenplay for Dustin Lance Black. Penelope Cruz was named supporting actress for her work in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, in which she gets entangled in a three-way relationship with Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson.
"GLAAD applauds those who have brought the important story of Milk to so many millions of people, and congratulates Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn for their well-deserved Oscar wins," said Neil G. Giuliano, president of GLAAD. "They are to be commended for telling a story that has the power to inform future generations about the history of our community and our struggles for equality."
Both pictures are nominated for Outstanding Film at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which celebrates fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The GLAAD Awards will be handed out March 28.
"The images of our community that these and other LGBT inclusive films bring to audiences around the country help people embrace the LGBT community with understanding and acceptance," added Giuliano.
