Gay activists in the US are looking to use the movie Milk as part of their campaign to lift the California ban on gay marriage.
The ban, in the state governed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, was approved earlier this month.
The movie Milk concerns the life of the late San Francisco supervisor, Harvey Milk, a pioneer for gay rights who's played by Sean Penn.
Amy Balliett, founder of jointheimpact.com, says her website is encouraging people to support the movie, listing some “gay-friendly” cinemas where people can watch it. She said that their goal is “to make this movie one of the top three-grossing movies of the weekend.”
While some activists hope the film will influence some viewers as they campaign against Proposition 8, there is no connection between Gus Van Sant's film and gay marriage. It was filmed in January before Proposition 8 was put forward.
The Cinemark chain, which is running the movie in the States, has donated $9999 to the campaign although CEO Alan Stock said in a statement: “It would be inappropriate to influence our employees' position on personal issues outside the work environment, especially on political, social or religious activities."
Milk opens in the UK on January 23.