By Erin Brown
The Culture and Media Institute
February 23, 2009

As the Culture & Media Institute predicted, liberal propaganda popped up at the Oscars in the form of impassioned acceptance speeches given by “Milk” winners, actor Sean Penn and Best Original Screenplay writer Dustin Lance Black. Both promoted the gay agenda with Black speaking directly to gay and lesbian children saying, “God does loves you and that very soon I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours.”

“Milk”, nominated for eight academy awards, is a biopic about America’s first openly-gay elected official starring Sean Penn as the title character, Harvey Milk. Penn, who won the Oscar for Best Actor in a leading roll, is well-known for espousing a variety of liberal causes, including gay rights issues, and he made sure to bring his views with him to the stage at the Academy Awards.

“You Commie, homo-loving sons of guns … For those who, uh, saw the signs of hatred, uh, as our cars drove in tonight, and 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,” he said during his three minute, ten second acceptance speech. “We've got to have equal rights for everyone and … I’m very, very proud to, to live in a country that is willing to elect, elect an elegant man president.”

Thankfully, Penn didn’t elaborate on Barack Obama’s “elegance.”

Lance took a more emotional approach, infusing his own homosexual story into the political advocacy.

When I was 13 years old my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas to California and I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope, gave me the hope to live my life, gave me the hope to one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married … But most of all if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does loves you and that very soon I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours. Thank you, thank you, and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk.

At least Black invoked God. Liberal political commentator and television host Bill Maher presented for Best Documentary, and used the opportunity to promote his own anti-religion agenda. “Now as a producer and star of a documentary of my own this year, the one about religion that didn’t get nominated, (laugher) I know it’s a touchy subject, but some day, we all do have to confront the notion that our silly gods cost the world too greatly … ” he said. His film “Religulous” received average box office reviews and has only grossed about $13 million since its October 2008 release.

“Slumdog Millionaire” was the biggest winner, taking home eight awards including best picture, director and original score, among others. Kate Winslet won best actress in a leading roll for her performance in “The Reader”, beating out 15 time nominee Meryl Streep for her performance in “Doubt”. The late Heath Ledger won best supporting actor for his portrayal of the joker in “The Dark Knight”, and Penelope Cruz won best supporting actress for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”

Erin Brown is an intern at the Culture & Media Institute.