THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The 81st Academy Awards, broadcast Feb. 22 from Los Angeles, took on a stronger LGBT tone than usual as Sean Penn won Best Actor for his role as the late gay politician Harvey Milk in the film Milk; Dustin Lance Black won the Best Original Screenplay award for the same movie; and Penelope Cruz won Best Supporting Actress for her turn as a bisexual spitfire in the Woody Allen film Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Upon winning his award, Penn jokingly called the attendees " [ y ] ou commie, homo-loving sons of guns," according to SFGate.com . Later in his speech, Penn talked about marriage equality and those who support California's anti-same-sex-marriage initiative, Proposition 8: "I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone."

The openly gay Black gave an even more moving acceptance speech as he talked about not only same-sex marriage, but the life of Harvey Milk and the overall acceptance of gays as well. "If Harvey Milk were alive today, I think he'd want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian children out there 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 who have value," Black said. "No matter what anybody tells you, God does love you and that very soon you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours."

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) issued a press release after the awards, stating in part, that it "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. 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."

Cruz, who became the first Spanish-born actress to win an Oscar, thanked both Allen and longtime friend/director Pedro Almodovar for how they helped her career, according to Reuters.

Heath Ledger won a posthumous award for best supporting actor for his riveting turn as The Joker in the blockbuster The Dark Knight. Ledger was first nominated for an Academy Award three years ago for his role as Ennis del Mar in Brokeback Mountain.

The film Slumdog Millionaire—which almost became a direct-to-DVD item instead of a theatrical release—became the little movie that could, winning eight Oscars ( after being nominated for 10 ) , including Best Picture.

Many celebrities wore white ribbons to support same-sex marriage. The movement was spurred by the pro-marriage-equality Web site WhiteKnot.org . Among those wearing the ribbons were the cast of Milk and even the father of actress Anne Hathaway.

Actor Hugh Jackman hosted the ceremony—and did a couple song-and-dance numbers, to boot.