Cleve Jones: Lance Black and Sean Penn Oscar speeches were "a huge shot in the arm"

Last night Alison Stewart (guest-hosting for a sick Rachel Maddow) took a look at the touching Oscar acceptance speeches made Sunday by Milk's Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn, bringing gay rights and AIDS activist Cleve Jones (who was played by Emile Hirsch in Milk) to discuss those victories. Jones noted what a powerful combination it was to see Black's personal story along with the support of a straight ally like Penn.

It almost feels a shame that Maddow, also an AIDS activist, was sick when Jones was on the show but I'd love to see Maddow and Jones talk about gay equal rights in a longer segment. Check out the video clip and tell us what you think...