"Milk" Debuts In The Castro

Actor Sean Penn and his wife, Robin Wright Penn, arrive at the world premiere of his new film "Milk" on Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. The film is the story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone.

Sean Penn, left, portrays Harvey Milk, right, California's first openly gay elected official. Elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, he was assassinated Nov. 27, 1978, in City Hall by former supervisor Daniel White, an anti-gay conservative.

The Tuesday night premiere also brought out many of Milk's old friends who helped usher in the gay rights movement, and yet more controversy. Outside the Castro Theater, picketers protest Proposition 8, a Nov. 4 ballot measure that would deny same-sex couples the right to marry.

Actor Sean Penn passes some protesters as he arrives at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. It was fitting that "Milk," premiered in the Castro. Milk used to call himself "the Mayor of Castro Street," referring to the main drag through the center of the city's gay and lesbian community.

Actor Josh Brolin, who plays the anti-gay conservative who shot Milk, and his wife, actress Diane Lane, arrive at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. Brolin also stars as President Bush in Oliver Stone's "W."

Actor Diego Luna arrives at the world premiere of his movie "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. He plays Milk's lover, Jack Lira, in the movie, which opens in theaters Dec. 5.

Actor James Franco arrives at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. Franco plays another of Harvey Milk's lovers in the biopic, directed by Gus Van Sant.

Emile Hirsch and a guest arrive at the world premiere of "Milk" on Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. Hirsch plays gay rights activist Cleve Jones, who was at the premiere and said Harvey Milk would have been thrilled with the film but angry that the fight over civil rights continued. "Harvey would be angry," Jones said, "and he'd still be fighting."

Sean Penn is photographed at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. Penn plays Harvey Milk in the movie that director Gus Van Sant said he had been talking about making for 18 years.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, center, arrives at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. Accompanying him are his wife, actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and Focus Features CEO James Schamus.

Dustin Lance Black, screenwriter and executive producer, arrives at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco.

Actress Diane Lane arrives at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. Her husband, actor Josh Brolin, has a role in the movie. Lane can be seen in theaters now with Richard Gere in "Nights in Rodanthe."

Actress Alison Pill arrives at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. She has a role in the movie, which was filmed on location in San Francisco.

Actors Diego Luna, right, and James Franco arrive at the world premiere of "Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco.

Actors Emile Hirsch, right, and Diego Luna arrive at the world premiere of "Milk," starring Sean Penn in the title role, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. Hirsch starred in last year's "Into the Wild," which was directed by Penn.

Sean Penn and his wife, Robin Wright Penn, arrive at the world premiere of his new film " Milk" on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in San Francisco. The film is the story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone. The film opens in early December.

Earlier in the day, a historic streetcar featured in the film was dedicated by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority to the memory of Harvey Milk, who had been a champion of public transportation. Here, two men look at the streetcar after its dedication in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008.