Los Angeles (PTI): Actor Sean Penn won his second Oscar for portraying a slain gay rights activist in the biopic "Milk" and spoke about queer rights in his acceptance speech while praising US President Barack Obama as a "elegant man".

Penn had earlier won the Screen Actor's Guild award for his performance while the Golden Globes had favoured Mickey Rourke giving him the Best Actor trophy for his portrayal of a ageing wrestler trying to make a comeback to the ring in "The Wrestler".

"I think 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. We've got to have equal rights for everyone. "I'm very, very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man President (Obama), and a country who, for all its toughness, creates courageous artists," said Penn.

Penn also thanked Rourke saying "In great due respect to all the nominees who despite sensitivity that sometimes has brought enormous challenges, Mickey Rourke rises again, and he is my brother." The mention comes after reports that the two actors had fallen out when Rourke criticised Penn's performance in "Milk" while calling him "homophobic".