It received a total of eight nominations, including best actor for Sean Penn as gay rights leader Harvey Milk.

VOA: special.2009.02.20

Sean Penn won best actor for playing Harvey Milk in "Milk, " the story of the first openly gay man elected to major public office.

CNN: 'Slumdog' makes history, sweeps Oscars

That was also a year that Sean Penn won an Oscar for his performance as Harvey Milk.

CNN: Activists hail a watershed moment in gay rights movement

"Milk, " the biopic about pioneering gay politician Harvey Milk, earned nominations for star Sean Penn, director Gus Van Sant and its original screenplay as well as a best picture nod.

CNN: 'Benjamin Button' hooks 13 Oscar nominations