The American actor, who won an Oscar for best actor in Gus Van Sant’s film, would like the state of California to recognize the importance of politician Harvey Milk’s work.
Milk, who was assassinated in 1978, was the first openly gay man in politics that was elected by the state.
If it were up to Penn, May 22, which is Milk’s birthdate, would become an official holiday in honour of Milk.
A law in this respect was blocked by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last year. According to the governor, the former politician should be honoured by the city of San Francisco alone, but not by the entire state, like Penn is proposing.