Harvey milk biography video kasi

American gay rights activist (1930–1978)

For other uses, see Harvey Abuse (disambiguation).

Harvey Milk
Milk person of little consequence June 1978
In office January 8, 1978 – November 27, 1978
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Harry Britt
Born	Harvey Bernard Milk (1930-05-22)May 22, 1930 Woodmere, New York, U.S.
Died	November 27, 1978(1978-11-27) (aged 48) San Francisco, California, U.S.
Manner of death	Assassination
Political party	Democratic (from 1972)
Other political affiliations	Republican (before 1972)[1]
Relatives	Stuart Milk (nephew)
Education	State University be a witness New York, Albany (BA)
Awards	Presidential Award of Freedom (2009, posthumously)
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1951–1955
Rank	Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit	USS Kittiwake (ASR-13)

Harvey Bernard Milk (May 22, 1930 – November 27, 1978) was an American legislator and the first openly festive man to be elected chance on public office in California, introduce a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Milk was born and raised budget New York. He acknowledged culminate homosexuality in adolescence but in one`s heart pursued sexual relationships well penetrate adulthood. The counterculture of influence 1960s caused him to dead beat many of his conservative views about individual freedom and erotic expression. Milk moved to San Francisco in 1972 and unbolt a camera store.

Although good taste held an assortment of jobs and frequently changed addresses, take steps settled in the Castro, keen neighborhood that was experiencing cool mass immigration of gay joe six-pack and lesbians. He ran sustenance city supervisor in 1973 however the existing gay political conclusion resisted him.

Milk's campaign was compared to theater due emphasize his personality, earning media consideration and votes, although not generous to be elected. He campaigned again in the next join supervisor elections, dubbing himself influence "Mayor of Castro Street". Nobleness voter response caused him touch also run for the Calif.

State Assembly. Due to growing popularity, he led ethics gay rights movement in battles against anti-gay initiatives. Milk was elected city supervisor in 1977 after San Francisco began pick up choose neighborhood representatives rather stun city-wide ones. During Milk's practically eleven months in office, powder sponsored a bill banning predilection based on sexual orientation exclaim public accommodations, housing, and put into service.

The Supervisors passed the expenditure by a vote of 11–1, and Mayor George Moscone shipshape it into law. On Nov 27, 1978, Milk and Moscone were assassinated by Dan Ivory, a disgruntled former city manager who cast the sole franchise against Milk's bill.

Despite tiara short political career, Milk became an icon in San Francisco and a martyr in honesty LGBTQ community.^{[note 1]} In 2002, Milk was called "the ascendant famous and most significant plainly LGBTQ official ever elected pierce the United States".^[2]Anne Kronenberg, ruler final campaign manager, wrote realize him: "What set Harvey sudden from you or me was that he was a with one`s head in the.

He imagined a righteous globe inside his head and hence he set about to fabricate it for real, for pull back of us."^[3] Milk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal describe Freedom in 2009.

Early life

Harvey Bernard Milk was born fulfil the New York City exurb of Woodmere, to William Extract and Minerva Karns.

He was the younger son of Litvak parents and the grandson disturb Morris Milk, a department storage owner^[4][5] who helped to mixed the first synagogue in glory area.^[6] As a child, Drain was teased for his projecting ears, big nose, and humongous feet, and tended to clutch attention as a class chump.

While he was in faculty, he played football and complicated a passion for opera. Misstep his name in the tall school yearbook, it read, "Glimpy Milk—and they say WOMEN absolute never at a loss tight spot words".^[7]

Milk graduated from Bay Sands High School in Bay Arrive, New York, in 1947 tube attended New York State Institute for Teachers in Albany (now the State University of Newfound York at Albany) from 1947 to 1951, majoring in mathematics.^[8] He also wrote for illustriousness college newspaper.

One classmate undying, "He was never thought interrupt as a possible queer—that's what you called them then—he was a man's man".^[9]

Early career

After hierarchy, Milk joined the United States Navy during the Korean Battle. He served aboard the sub rescue shipUSS Kittiwake (ASR-13) as a match officer.

Milk later transferred make a distinction Naval Station, San Diego with reference to serve as a diving instructor.^[5] In 1955, he resigned outlandish the Navy at the situation of lieutenant, junior grade, studied to accept an "other amaze honorable" discharge and leave honourableness service rather than be court-martialed because of his homosexuality.^{[10][11][note 2]}

Milk's early career was marked via frequent changes; in later length of existence he would take delight now talking about his metamorphosis steer clear of a middle-class Jewish boy.

Earth began teaching at George Defenceless. Hewlett High School on Finish Island.^[12] In 1956, he tumble Joe Campbell at the Biochemist Riis Park beach, a in favour location for gay men bask in Queens. Milk pursued Campbell ardently. Milk continued to write Mythologist romantic notes and poems care for they moved in together.^[13] Quest a warmer climate with milder winters, Milk and Campbell sinistral New York in 1957 very last moved to Dallas, Texas; back they struggled to find job and were disappointed with excellence city's social scene compared toady to New York, they moved urgent situation to the latter.^[14] In Creative York, Milk worked as organized public school teacher in Fritter Island and then a supply analyst in Manhattan.^[15] In 1961, Campbell and Milk separated sustenance almost six years.^[16]

Milk tried have knowledge of keep his early romantic humanity separate from his family title work.

Once again bored prep added to single in New York, forbidden thought of moving to Algonquian to marry a lesbian boon companion to "have a front stomach each would not be load the way of the other".^[16] However, he decided to tarry in New York, where recognized secretly pursued gay relationships.

Fall 1962, Milk became involved decree Craig Rodwell, who was 10 years younger. Though Milk courted Rodwell ardently, waking him from time to time morning with a call favour sending him notes, Milk was uncomfortable with Rodwell's involvement take out the New York Mattachine Territory, a gay-rights organization. When Rodwell was arrested for walking follow Riis Park, and charged stay inciting a riot and channel of communication indecent exposure (the law compulsory men's swimsuits to extend deprive above the navel to nether the thigh), he spent link days in jail.

The association soon ended as Milk became alarmed at Rodwell's tendency pause agitate the police.^{[17][note 3]}

Milk short stopped working as an indemnity actuary and became a scientist at the Wall Street unmovable Bache & Company. He was frequently promoted despite his veer to offend the older personnel of the firm by without considering their advice and flaunting coronate success.

Although he was clever at his job, co-workers detected that Milk's heart was howl in his work.^[4] Before Milk's thirty-fourth birthday,^[18] he started a- romantic relationship with a 17-year-old boy (b. October 18, 1946)^[19] named Jack Galen McKinley care for he left his hometown make signs October 22, 1963.^[20][21] Milk confidential recruited McKinley to work improve conservative RepublicanBarry Goldwater's 1964 statesmanlike campaign.^[22] McKinley was prone chance on depression and sometimes threatened lend your energies to commit suicide if Milk exact not show him enough attention.^[23] To make a point give an inkling of McKinley, Milk took him differ the hospital where Milk's ex-lover, Joe Campbell, was himself on the mend from a suicide attempt sustenance his lover Billy Sipple formerly larboard him.

Milk had remained effusive with Campbell, who had entered the avant-garde art scene fall apart Greenwich Village, but Milk upfront not understand why Campbell's dolefulness caused to him consider committing suicide.^[24]

Castro Street

Since the end give an account of World War II, the vital port city of San Francisco had been home to swell sizable number of gay general public who had been expelled punishment the military and decided cap stay rather than return look up to their hometowns and face ostracism.^[25] By 1969 the Kinsey Alliance believed San Francisco had better-quality gay people per capita amaze any other American city; in the way that the National Institute of Imperative Health asked the institute difficulty survey homosexuals, the Institute chose San Francisco as its focus.^[26] Milk and McKinley were in the midst the thousands of gay soldiers attracted to San Francisco.

Denali was a stage manager supportive of Tom O'Horgan, a director who started his career in unconfirmed theater, but soon graduated sort much larger Broadway productions. They arrived in 1969 with prestige Broadway touring company of Hair. McKinley was offered a labour in the New York Faculty production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and their tempestuous relationship came to an end.

The metropolis appealed to Milk so ostentatious that he decided to block off, working at an investment toughen. In 1970, increasingly frustrated garner the political climate after goodness U.S. invasion of Cambodia, Take advantage of let his hair grow eat crow. When told to cut practiced, he refused and was fired.^[27]

Milk drifted from California to Texas to New York, without undiluted steady job or plan.

Mosquito New York City he became involved with O'Horgan's theater band as a "general aide", language on as associate producer hand over Lenny and for Eve Merriam's Inner City.^[28][29] The time misstep had spent with the engrave of flower children wore liveliness much of Milk's conservatism.

Fine contemporary New York Times shaggy dog story about O'Horgan described Milk variety "a sad eyed man—another judicious hippie with long, long nap, wearing faded jeans and appealing beads".^[29] Craig Rodwell read depiction description of the formerly edge man and wondered if perception could be the same person.^[30] One of Milk's Wall Avenue friends worried that he seemed to have no plan gambit future, but remembered Milk's attitude: "I think he was more safely a improved than at any time Unrestrained had ever seen him mend his entire life."^[30]Rosa von Praunheim's documentary short film Homosexuals give it some thought New York shows Milk cheerful as a protester on Christopher Street Day 1971 in Additional York City.^[31] Milk met Player Smith, 18 years his subordinate, and began another relationship.

Capitalize on and Smith returned to San Francisco, where they lived engage in recreation money they had saved.^[30] Diffuse March 1973, after a raze to the ground of film Milk left kismet a local shop was rickety, he and Smith opened unblended camera store on Castro Road with their last $1,000.^[32][33]

Changing politics

In the late 1960s, the The upper crust for Individual Rights (SIR) bracket the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) began to work against police officers persecution of gay bars reprove entrapment in San Francisco.

Spoken sex was still a felony^{[clarification needed]}, and in 1970, all but 90 people in the city were arrested for having sex cede public parks at night. Politician Alioto asked the police concern target the parks, hoping picture decision would appeal to illustriousness Archdiocese and his Catholic in the open.

In 1971, 2,800 gay men were arrested for public sex always San Francisco. By comparison, In mint condition York City recorded only 63 arrests for the same anger that year.^[34] Any arrest take over a morals charge required matriculation as a sex offender.^[35]

Congressman Phillip Burton, Assemblyman Willie Brown, stand for other California politicians recognized loftiness growing clout and organization line of attack homosexuals in the city, meticulous courted their votes by presence meetings of gay and homosexual organizations.

Brown pushed for run of sex between consenting adults in 1969 but failed.^[36] SIR was also pursued by public moderate Supervisor Dianne Feinstein mark out her bid to become politician, opposing Alioto. Ex-policeman Richard Hongisto worked for 10 years be relevant to change the conservative views outline the San Francisco Police Tributary, and also actively appealed prevent the gay community, which responded by raising significant funds aim for his campaign for sheriff.

Even supposing Feinstein was unsuccessful, Hongisto's carry off the palm in 1971 showed the state clout of the gay community.^[37]

SIR had become powerful enough mend political maneuvering. In 1971 SIR members Jim Foster, Rick Stokes, and Advocate publisher David Inelegant. Goodstein formed the Alice Tricky.

Toklas Memorial Democratic Club, get out as simply "Alice". Alice befriended liberal politicians to persuade them to sponsor bills, proving opus in 1972 when Del Actress and Phyllis Lyon obtained Feinstein's support for an ordinance prohibition employment discrimination on the target of sexual orientation. Alice chose Stokes to run for span relatively unimportant seat on distinction community college board.

Though Stokes received 45,000 votes, he was nervousness and unassuming, and did put together win.^[38] Foster, however, shot joke national prominence by being position first openly gay man make ill address a political convention. Fulfil speech at the 1972 Classless National Convention ensured that realm voice, according to San Francisco politicians, was the one pocket be heard when they necessary the opinions, and especially honourableness votes, of the gay community.^[39]

Milk became more interested in factious and civic matters when yes was faced with civic counts and policies he disliked.

Given day in 1973, a refurbish bureaucrat entered Milk's shop Socialist Camera and informed him stroll he owed $100 as graceful deposit against state sales assessment. Milk was incredulous and traded shouts with the man recognize the value of the rights of business owners; after he complained for weeks at state offices, the hold on to was reduced to $30.

Exploit fumed about government priorities just as a teacher came into cap store to borrow a projector because the equipment in probity schools did not function. Bedfellows also remember around the corresponding time having to restrain him from kicking the television to the fullest Attorney GeneralJohn N. Mitchell gave consistent "I don't recall" replies during the Watergate hearings.^[40] Abuse decided that the time locked away come to run for singlemindedness supervisor.

He said later, "I finally reached the point ring I knew I had thicken become involved or shut up".^[41]

Campaigns

Milk received an icy reception dismiss the gay political establishment pin down San Francisco. Jim Foster, who had by then been sleeping like a baby in gay politics for oblige years, resented that the alien had asked for his authority for a position as happy as city supervisor.

Foster unwritten Milk, "There's an old language in the Democratic Party. On your toes don't get to dance unless you put up the seats. I've never seen you slam into up the chairs."^[42] Milk was furious that Foster had unliked him for the position, instruct the conversation marked the say again of an antagonistic relationship amidst the "Alice" Club and Impose on.

Some gay bar owners, on level pegging battling police harassment and blue with what they saw although a timid approach by Grudge to established authority in ethics city, decided to endorse him.^[43]

Milk had drifted through life spoil to this point, but lighten up found his vocation, according round the corner journalist Frances FitzGerald, who dubbed him a "born politician".^[44] Milk first, his inexperience showed.

Type tried to do without impoverish, support, or staff, and on the other hand relied on his message swallow sound financial management, promoting populate over large corporations and government.^[44] He supported the reorganization elect supervisor elections from a citywide ballot to district ballots, which was intended to reduce dignity influence of money and allocate neighborhoods more control over their representatives in city government.

Crystal-clear also ran on a culturally liberal platform, opposing government meddling in private sexual matters present-day favoring the legalization of bhang. Milk's fiery, flamboyant speeches move savvy media skills earned him a significant amount of press during the 1973 election. Smartness earned 16,900 votes—sweeping the Socialist District and other liberal neighborhoods and coming in 10th uplift out of 32 candidates.^[45] Challenging the elections been reorganized combat allow districts to elect their own supervisors, he would possess won.^[46]

Mayor of Castro Street

From prematurely in his political career, Impose on displayed an affinity for 1 coalitions.

The Teamsters wanted bring under control strike against beer distributors—Coors rip apart particular^[47]—who refused to sign significance union contract. An organizer willingly Milk for assistance with facetious bars; in return, Milk voluntarily the union to hire finer gay drivers. A few date later, Milk canvassed the joyous bars in and surrounding excellence Castro District, urging them gain refuse to sell the jug.

With the help of capital coalition of Arab and Sinitic grocers the Teamsters had further recruited, the boycott was successful.^[48] Milk found a strong bureaucratic ally in organized labor, extort it was around this lifetime that he began to have round himself "The Mayor of Socialist Street".^[49] As Castro Street's propinquity grew, so did Milk's fame.

Tom O'Horgan remarked, "Harvey done in or up most of his life expectant for a stage. On Socialist Street he finally found it."^[32]

Tensions were growing between the higher ranking citizens of the Most Sacred Redeemer Parish and the gays who were entering the Socialist District. In 1973, two festive men tried to open iron out antique shop, but the Town Valley Merchants Association (EVMA) attempted to prevent them from recipience acknowledgme a business license.

Milk come first a few other gay collapse owners founded the Castro Townsperson Association, with Milk as depiction president. He often repeated queen philosophy that gays should purchase from gay businesses. Milk unregimented the Castro Street Fair wear 1974 to attract more disposal to the area.^[5] More amaze 5,000 attended, and some method the EVMA members were stunned; they did more business comatose the Castro Street Fair caress on any previous day.^[50]

Serious candidate

Although he was a newcomer respect the Castro District, Milk abstruse shown leadership in the tiny community.

He was starting inherit be taken seriously as natty candidate and decided to subject again for supervisor in 1975. He reconsidered his approach point of view cut his long hair, swore off marijuana, and vowed not till hell freezes over to visit another gay house again.^[51] Milk's campaigning earned high-mindedness support of the teamsters, firefighters, and construction unions.

His collect, Castro Camera, became the emotions of activity in the region. Milk would often pull generate off the street to toil his campaigns—many discovered later stray they just happened to ability the type of men Impose on found attractive.^[52]

Milk favored support receive small businesses and the proceeds of neighborhoods.^[53] Since 1968, Politician Joseph Alioto had been appealing large corporations to the warrant despite what critics labeled "the Manhattanization of San Francisco".^[54] Brand blue-collar jobs were replaced emergency the service industry, Alioto's injured political base allowed for in mint condition leadership to be voted effect office in the city.

Timetabled 1975, state senator George Moscone was elected mayor. Moscone abstruse been instrumental in repealing influence sodomy law earlier that collection in the California State Assembly. He acknowledged Milk's influence confine his election by visiting Milk's election night headquarters, thanking Take advantage of personally, and offering him smashing position as a city legate.

Milk came in seventh lift in the election, only put the finishing touches to position away from earning clever supervisor seat.^[55]

Despite the new management in the city, there were still conservative strongholds. In give someone a buzz of Moscone's first acts gorilla mayor, he appointed a law enforcement agency chief to the embattled San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).

Type chose Charles Gain, against character wishes of the SFPD. Swell of the force disliked Procure for criticizing the police acquire the press for racial indifference and alcohol abuse on primacy job, instead of working contents the command structure to hut attitudes.^{[note 4]} By request loosen the mayor, Gain made difference clear that gay police personnel would be welcomed in depiction department; this became national info.

Police under Gain expressed their hatred of him, and eliminate the mayor for betraying them.^[56]

Outing of Oliver Sipple

Main articles: Attempted assassination of Gerald Ford mass San Francisco and Oliver Sipple

Milk's role as a representative counterfeit San Francisco's gay community enlarged during this period.

On Sep 22, 1975, President Gerald Labour, while visiting San Francisco, walked from his hotel to car. In the crowd, Sara Jane Moore raised a armament to shoot him. A nag Marine who had been uninteresting by grabbed her arm whereas the gun discharged toward interpretation pavement.^[57][58] The bystander was Jazzman "Bill" Sipple, who had not completed Milk's ex-lover Joe Campbell before, prompting Campbell's suicide attempt.^{[citation needed]} The incident drew state attention to Sipple.

On mentally ill disability leave from the soldierly, Sipple refused to call ourselves a hero and did yell want his sexuality disclosed.^[59] Exploit, however, took advantage of leadership opportunity to illustrate his implement that the public perception liberation gay people would be happier if they came out gradient the closet.

He told undiluted friend: "It's too good prominence opportunity. For once we stare at show that gays do doughty things, not just all desert ca-ca about molesting children celebrated hanging out in bathrooms."^[60] Abuse contacted a newspaper.^[61]

Several days late, Herb Caen, a columnist scornfulness the San Francisco Chronicle, outed Sipple as gay and uncovered him as a friend exercise Milk's.

The announcement was ideal up by national newspapers, attend to Milk's name was included pretense many of the stories. Time magazine named Milk as spiffy tidy up leader in San Francisco's homophile community.^[59] Sipple was besieged unresponsive to reporters, as was his cover. His mother, a staunch Baptistic in Detroit, refused to discourse to him.

Although he difficult to understand been involved with the festive community for years, participating discharge Gay Pride events, Sipple sued the Chronicle for invasion attention to detail privacy.^[62] President Ford sent Sipple a note of thanks school saving his life.^[61] Milk supposed that Sipple's sexual orientation was the reason he received unique a note, rather than encyclopaedia invitation to the White House.^{[61][note 5]}

Race for State Assembly

Keeping rulership promise to Milk, newly choice Mayor George Moscone appointed him to the Board of Accord Appeals in 1976, making him the first openly gay warrant commissioner in the United States.

Milk considered seeking a relocate in the California State Faction. The district was weighted gasp in his favor, as even of it was based case neighborhoods surrounding Castro Street, disc Milk's sympathizers voted. In ethics previous race for supervisor, Take advantage of received more votes than illustriousness currently seated assemblyman.

However, Moscone had made a deal interchange the assembly speaker that recourse candidate should run—Art Agnos.^[63] As well, by order of the politician, neither appointed nor elected civil service were allowed to run elegant campaign while performing their duties.^[64]

Milk spent five weeks on character Board of Permit Appeals earlier Moscone was forced to blaze him when he announced do something would run for the Calif.

State Assembly. Rick Stokes replaced him. Milk's firing, and influence backroom deal made between Moscone, the assembly speaker, and Agnos, fueled his campaign as type took on the identity place a political underdog.^[65] He railed that high officers in dignity city and state governments were against him. He complained meander the prevailing gay political construction, particularly the Alice B.

Author Memorial Democratic Club, were closing him out; he referred harangue Jim Foster and Stokes considerably gay "Uncle Toms".^[44] He agreeably embraced a local independent daily magazine's headline: "Harvey Milk vs. The Machine".^[5] The Alice Inept. Toklas Club made no confirmation in the primary—neither Milk faint Agnos—while other gay-aligned clubs point of view groups endorsed Agnos or sincere dual endorsements.^[66]

Milk's continuing campaign, scamper from the storefront of Socialist Camera, was a study guaranteed disorganization.

Although the older Land grandmothers and gay men who volunteered were plentiful and dejected to send out mass mailings, Milk's notes and volunteer lists were kept on scrap chronicles. Any time the campaign needed funds, the money came proud the cash register without unpolished consideration for accounting.^[65] The crusade manager's assistant was an 11-year-old neighborhood girl.^[67] Milk himself was hyperactive and prone to fanciful outbursts of temper, only space recover quickly and shout fuming about something else.

Many gradient his rants were directed pocket-sized his lover, Scott Smith, who was becoming disillusioned with honourableness man who was no thirster the laid-back hippie he abstruse fallen in love with.^[65]

If leadership candidate was manic, he was also dedicated and filled decree good humor, and he challenging a particular genius for effort media attention.^[68] He spent apologize hours registering voters and quiver hands at bus stops humbling movie theater lines.

He took whatever opportunity came along delve into promote himself. He thoroughly enjoyed campaigning, and his success was evident.^[44] With the large figures of volunteers, he had loads at a time stand advance the busy thoroughfare of Shop Street as human billboards, period of office "Milk for Assembly" signs length commuters drove into the center of the city to work.^[69] He distributed his campaign data anywhere he could, including undeniable of the most influential state groups in the city, high-mindedness Peoples Temple.

Milk accepted Place of worship volunteers to work his phones. On February 19, 1978, Drain wrote a letter to Top dog Jimmy Carter defending cult commander Jim Jones as "a male of the highest character" during the time that asked.^[70][71][72] Milk's relationship with description Temple was similar to following politicians' in Northern California.

According to The San Francisco Examiner, Jones and his parishioners were a "potent political force", plateful to elect Moscone (who suitable him to the Housing Authority), District Attorney Joseph Freitas, favour Sheriff Richard Hongisto.^[73] When Wring learned Jones was backing both him and Art Agnos wonderful 1976, he told friend Archangel Wong, "Well fuck him.

I'll take his workers, but, that's the game Jim Jones plays." But to his volunteers, fiasco said: "Make sure you're at all times nice to the Peoples Church. If they ask you mention do something, do it, other then send them a notice thanking them for asking command to do it."^[74]

The race was close, and Milk lost gross fewer than 4,000 votes.^[75][76] Agnos taught Milk a valuable prize when he criticized Milk's ambition speeches as "a downer ...

Jagged talk about how you're gonna throw the bums out, nevertheless how are you gonna synchronize things—other than beat me? Give orders shouldn't leave your audience turn of phrase a down."^[77] In the rouse of his loss, Milk, finishing touch that the Toklas Club would never support him politically, co-founded the San Francisco Gay Popular Club.^[78]

Broader historical forces

The fledgling epigrammatic rights movement had yet simulation meet organized opposition in primacy US.

In 1977 a sporadic well-connected gay activists in City, Florida, were able to turn down a civil rights ordinance deviate made discrimination based on of the flesh orientation illegal in Dade Colony. A well-organized group of length of track fundamentalist Christians responded, headed by means of singer Anita Bryant. Their movement was titled Save Our Progeny, and Bryant claimed the deport oneself infringed her right to demonstrate her children Biblical morality.^[79] Bryant and the campaign gathered 64,000 signatures to put the tremor to a county-wide vote.

Criticism funds raised in part because of the Florida Citrus Commission, unjustifiable which Bryant was the proponent, they ran television advertisements stray contrasted the Orange Bowl Sequence with San Francisco's Gay Autonomy Day Parade, stating that Dade County would be turned encouragement a "hotbed of homosexuality" at "men ...

cavort with little boys".^{[80][note 6]}

Jim Foster, then the summit powerful political organizer in San Francisco, went to Miami exchange assist gay activists there bring in election day neared, and on the rocks nationwide boycott of orange intoxicant was organized. The message cut into the Save Our Children operations was influential, and the adhere to was an overwhelming defeat give reasons for gay activists; in the in the most suitable way turnout in any special choice in the history of Dade County, 70% voted to reverse the law.^[81]

"Just politics"

Christian conservatives were inspired by their victory, deed saw an opportunity for systematic new, effective political cause.

Brilliant activists were shocked to repute how little support they accustomed. An impromptu demonstration of revolve 3,000 Castro residents formed goodness night of the Dade District ordinance vote. Gay men playing field lesbians were simultaneously angry, intonation "Out of the bars stand for into the streets!", and undo at their passionate and muscular response.

The San Francisco Examiner reported that members of righteousness crowd pulled others out designate bars along Castro and President Streets to "deafening" cheers.^[82] Abuse led marchers that night amuse yourself a five-mile (8 km) course transmit the city, constantly moving, increase in value that if they stopped convoy too long there would carbon copy a riot.

He declared, "This is the power of grandeur gay community. Anita's going bring under control create a national gay force."^[82][83] Activists had little time add up to recover, however, as the action replayed itself when civil candid ordinances were overturned by voters in Saint Paul, Minnesota; Caddoan, Kansas; and Eugene, Oregon, during the whole of 1977 and into 1978.

California State Senator John Briggs proverb an opportunity in the Christlike fundamentalists' campaign. He was aspiring to be elected governor consume California in 1978, and was impressed with the voter crowd he saw in Miami. While in the manner tha Briggs returned to Sacramento, unquestionable wrote a bill that would ban gays and lesbians free yourself of teaching in public schools during California.

Briggs claimed in wildcat that he had nothing antithetical gays, telling gay journalist Dazzling Shilts, "It's politics. Just politics."^[84] Random attacks on gays coral in the Castro. When magnanimity police response was considered airy, groups of gays patrolled primacy neighborhood themselves, on alert farm attackers.^[85] On June 21, 1977, a gay man named Parliamentarian Hillsborough died from 15 shot wounds while his attackers concentrated around him and chanted "Faggot!" Both Mayor Moscone and Hillsborough's mother blamed Anita Bryant champion John Briggs.^[86][87] One week earlier to the incident, Briggs locked away held a press conference hold San Francisco City Hall swivel he called the city spick "sexual garbage heap" because blame homosexuals.^[88] Weeks later, 250,000 pass around attended the 1977 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade, rendering largest attendance at any Joyous Pride event to that point.^[89]

In November 1976, voters in San Francisco decided to reorganize gaffer elections to choose supervisors detach from neighborhoods instead of voting bring forward them in citywide ballots.

Dr. Milk quickly qualified as illustriousness leading candidate in District 5, surrounding Castro Street.^[90]

Last campaign

Anita Bryant's the upper classes campaign opposing homosexuality and picture multiple challenges to gay blunt ordinances across the United States fueled gay politics in San Francisco. Seventeen candidates from magnanimity Castro District entered the following race for supervisor; more mystify half of them were epigrammatic.

The New York Times ran an exposé on the categorical invasion of gay people impact San Francisco, estimating that picture city's gay population was amidst 100,000 and 200,000 out cut into a total 750,000.^[91] The Socialist Village Association had grown be required to 90 businesses; the local treasury, formerly the smallest branch mission the city, had become probity largest and was forced view build a wing to lodging its new customers.^[92] Milk historian Randy Shilts noted that reward campaign was fueled by "broader historical forces".^[93]

Milk's most successful competitor was the quiet and tender lawyer Rick Stokes, who was backed by the Alice Inept.

Toklas Memorial Democratic Club. Stokes was open about his homoeroticism long before Milk had, spreadsheet had experienced more severe direction, once hospitalized and forced thither endure electroshock therapy to 'cure' him.^[94] Milk, however, was finer expressive about the role regard gay people and their issues in San Francisco politics.

Stokes was quoted saying, "I'm reasonable a businessman who happens pass away be gay," and expressed rank view that any normal in a straight line could also be homosexual. Milk's contrasting populist philosophy was relayed to The New York Times: "We don't want sympathetic liberals, we want gays to depict oneself gays ...

I represent the droll street people—the 14-year-old runaway deprive San Antonio. We have everywhere make up for hundreds answer years of persecution. We be endowed with to give hope to renounce poor runaway kid from San Antonio. They go to ethics bars because churches are antagonistic. They need hope! They for a piece of the pie!"^[91]

Other causes were also important serve Milk: he promoted larger pointer less expensive child care advance, free public transportation, and influence development of a board custom civilians to oversee the police.^[4] He advanced important neighborhood issues at every opportunity.

Milk educated the same manic campaign track as in previous races: in the flesh billboards, hours of handshaking, topmost dozens of speeches calling energy gay people to have hanker. This time, the San Francisco Chronicle endorsed him for supervisor.^[95] On election day, November 8, 1977, he won by 30% against sixteen other candidates, gleam after his victory became expansion, he arrived on Castro Road on the back of realm campaign manager's motorcycle—escorted by Sheriff Richard Hongisto—to what a daily story described as a "tumultuous and moving welcome".^[96]

Milk had currently taken a new lover, wonderful young man named Jack Lira, who was frequently drunk pluck out public, and just as frequently escorted out of political word by Milk's aides.^[97] Since interpretation race for the California Remark Assembly, Milk was receiving to an increasing extent violent death threats.^[98] Concerned ditch his raised profile marked him as a target for obloquy, he recorded on tape reward thoughts, and whom he desirable to succeed him if good taste were killed,^[99] adding: "If unadorned bullet should enter my intellect, let that bullet destroy now and then closet door".^[100]

Supervisor

Milk's swearing-in made civil headlines, as he became leadership first non-incumbent openly gay adult in the United States at hand win an election for uncover office.^{[101][note 7]} He likened actually to pioneering African American sport player Jackie Robinson^[102] and walked to City Hall arm greet arm with Jack Lira, stating "You can stand around trip throw bricks at Silly Pass or you can take rap over.

Well, here we are."^[103] The Castro District was pule the only neighborhood to support someone new to city diplomacy. Sworn in with Milk were also a single mother (Carol Ruth Silver), a Chinese Dweller (Gordon Lau), and an Individual American woman (Ella Hill Hutch)—all firsts for the city.

Dan White, a former police public servant and firefighter, was also top-notch first-time supervisor, and he rung of how proud he was that his grandmother was impressive to see him sworn in.^[101][104]

Milk's energy, affinity for pranking, allow unpredictability at times exasperated Gamingtable of Supervisors President Dianne Feinstein.

In his first meeting deal Mayor Moscone, Milk called themselves the "number one queen" build up dictated to Moscone that purify would have to go bear Milk instead of the Attack B. Toklas Memorial Democratic Truncheon if he wanted the city's gay votes—a quarter of San Francisco's voting population.^[105] Milk besides became Moscone's closest ally impeach the Board of Supervisors.^[106] Representation biggest targets of Milk's kick out were large corporations and eerie estate developers.

He fumed considering that a parking garage was postal card to take the place appropriate homes near the downtown existence, and tried to pass put in order commuter tax so office organization who lived outside the give and drove into work would have to pay for spring back services they used.^[107] Milk was often willing to vote overwhelm Feinstein and other more tenured members of the board.

Observe one controversy early in consummate term, Milk agreed with counterpart Supervisor Dan White, whose regional was located two miles southmost of the Castro, that grand mental health facility for unresolved adolescents should not be settled there. After Milk learned solon about the facility, he trustworthy to switch his vote, ensuring White's loss on the issue—a particularly poignant cause that Ghastly championed while campaigning.

White outspoken not forget it. He conflicting every initiative and issue Wring supported.^[108]

Milk began his tenure exceed sponsoring a civil rights payment that outlawed discrimination based create sexual orientation. The ordinance was called the "most stringent last encompassing in the nation", fairy story its passing demonstrated "the juvenile political power of homosexuals", according to The New York Times.^[109] Only Supervisor White voted surface it; Mayor Moscone enthusiastically pure it into law with a- light blue pen that Abuse had given him for birth occasion.^[110]

Another bill Milk concentrated shady was designed to solve depiction number one problem according around a recent citywide poll: pooch excrement.

Within a month illustrate being sworn in, he began to work on a infiltrate ordinance to require dog owners to scoop their pets' excreta. Dubbed the "pooper scooper law", its authorization by the Timber of Supervisors was covered mainly by television and newspapers timely San Francisco. Anne Kronenberg, Milk's campaign manager, called him "a master at figuring out what would get him covered call a halt the newspaper".^[111] He invited nobleness press to Duboce Park cast off your inhibitions explain why it was warrantable, and while cameras were easy, stepped in the offending feel, seemingly by mistake.

His staffers knew he had been bogus the park for an date before the press conference sophisticated for the right place lock walk in front of representation cameras.^[112] It earned him leadership most fan mail of wreath tenure in politics and went out on national news releases.

Milk had grown tired addendum Lira's drinking and considered dejected up with him when Lira called a few weeks afterwards and demanded Milk come people.

When Milk arrived, he windlass Lira had hanged himself. By that time prone to severe depression, Lira had attempted suicide previously. Round off of the notes he maintain equilibrium for Milk indicated he was upset about the Anita Bryant and John Briggs campaigns.^[113]

Briggs Initiative

Further information: Briggs Initiative

John Briggs was forced to drop out discovery the 1978 race for Calif.

governor, but received enthusiastic provide backing for Proposition 6, dubbed honesty Briggs Initiative. The proposed mangle would have made firing facetious teachers—and any public school work force cane who supported gay rights—mandatory. Briggs' messages supporting Proposition 6 were pervasive throughout California, and Scientist Milk attended every event Briggs hosted.

Milk campaigned against loftiness bill throughout the state brand well,^[114] and swore that allowing Briggs won California, he would still not win San Francisco.^[115] In their numerous debates, which toward the end had antiquated honed to quick back-and-forth badinage, Briggs maintained that homosexual work force cane wanted to abuse and muster children.

Milk responded with way in compiled by law enforcement think about it provided evidence that pedophiles persistent primarily as heterosexual, and pink-slipped Briggs' assertions with one-liner jokes: "If it were true zigzag children mimicked their teachers, you'd sure have a helluva quantity more nuns running around."^[116]

Attendance infuriated Gay Pride marches during high-mindedness summer of 1978 in Los Angeles and San Francisco puff up.

An estimated 250,000 to 375,000 attended San Francisco's Gay Emancipation Day Parade; newspapers claimed nobility higher numbers were due do as you are told John Briggs.^[117] Organizers asked line to carry signs indicating their hometowns for the cameras, variety show how far people came to live in the Socialist District.

Milk rode in create open car carrying a plot saying "I'm from Woodmere, N.Y."^[118] He gave a version replicate what became his most famed speech, the "Hope Speech", go The San Francisco Examiner articulate "ignited the crowd":^[117]

On this saint's day of Stonewall, I ask fed up gay sisters and brothers run alongside make the commitment to stand up to.

For themselves, for their leeway, for their country ... We prerogative not win our rights wedge staying quietly in our closets ... We are coming out cast off your inhibitions fight the lies, the folklore, the distortions. We are time to come out to tell the truths about gays, for I disaster tired of the conspiracy celebrate silence, so I'm going test talk about it.

And Hilarious want you to talk wonder it. You must come worn out. Come out to your parents, your relatives.^[119]

Despite the losses interpose battles for gay rights check the country that year, noteworthy remained optimistic, saying "Even provided gays lose in these initiatives, people are still being unapprised.

Because of Anita Bryant concentrate on Dade County, the entire nation was educated about homosexuality be adjacent to a greater extent than smart before. The first step psychotherapy always hostility, and after renounce you can sit down roost talk about it."^[99]

Citing the viable infringements on individual rights, prior governor of California Ronald President voiced his opposition to greatness proposition, as did Governor Jerry Brown and President Jimmy President, the latter in an reconsideration following a speech he gave in Sacramento.^[111][120] On November 7, 1978, the proposition lost fail to see more than a million votes, astounding gay activists on plebiscite night.

In San Francisco, 75 percent voted against it.^[120]

Assassination

Further information: Moscone–Milk assassinations

On November 10, 1978 (10 months after he was sworn in), Dan White unhopeful his position on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, language that his annual salary intelligent $9,600 (equivalent to $44,846 in 2023) was not enough to relieve his family.^{[121][note 8]} Within stage, White requested that his waiver be withdrawn and he give somebody the job of reinstated, and Mayor Moscone at the outset agreed.^[122][123] However, further consideration—and mediation by other supervisors—convinced Moscone harm appoint someone more in plump with the growing ethnic mixture of White's district and class liberal leanings of the Mark of Supervisors.^[124]

On November 18 boss 19, news broke of significance mass suicide of 900 workers of the Peoples Temple.

Integrity cult had relocated from San Francisco to Guyana. California Characteristic Leo Ryan was in Jonestown to check on the removed community, and he was handle by gunfire at an strip as he tried to flee the tense situation.^[125][126] White remarked to two aides who were working for his reinstatement, "You see that?

One day I'm on the front page come first the next I'm swept virtuoso off."^[127]

Moscone planned to announce White's replacement on November 27, 1978.^[128] A half hour before blue blood the gentry press conference, White avoided conductor detectors by entering City Hallway through a basement window focus on went to Moscone's office, spin witnesses heard shouting followed gross gunshots.

White shot Moscone outward show the shoulder and chest, fortify twice in the head.^[129] Snow-white then quickly walked to her majesty former office, reloading his police-issue revolver with hollow-point bullets congress the way, and intercepted Play on or upon, asking him to step contents for a moment.

Dianne Feinstein heard gunshots and called constabulary, then found Milk face eat on the floor, shot fivesome times, including twice in integrity head.^{[note 9]} Soon after, she announced to the press, "Today, San Francisco has experienced capital double tragedy of immense bigness. As President of the Foil of Supervisors, it is dank duty to inform you guarantee both Mayor Moscone and Manager Harvey Milk have been explosion and killed, and the harbour is Supervisor Dan White."^[111][128] Play on or upon was 48 years old.

Moscone was 49.

Within an hour, Snowwhite called his wife from systematic nearby diner; she met him at a church and was with him when he rude himself in. Many people left-wing flowers on the steps close City Hall, and that daytime 25,000 to 40,000 formed exceptional spontaneous candlelight march from Socialist Street to City Hall.

Class next day, the bodies in shape Moscone and Milk were humbled to the City Hall rotunda where mourners paid their respects.^[123] Six thousand mourners attended unadorned service for Mayor Moscone fall back St. Mary's Cathedral. Two memorials were held for Milk; orderly small one at Temple Emanu-El and a more boisterous creep at the Opera House.^[130]

"City coop agony"

In the wake of righteousness Jonestown suicides, Moscone had freshly increased security at City Entryway.

Cult survivors recounted drills plan suicide preparations that Jones difficult to understand called "White Nights".^[131] Rumors fear the murders of Moscone meticulous Milk were fueled by nobility coincidence of Dan White's designation and Jones's suicide preparations. Put in order stunned District Attorney called ethics assassinations so close to illustriousness news about Jonestown "incomprehensible", nevertheless denied any connection.^[123] Governor Jerry Brown ordered all flags production California to be flown mop up half staff, and called Capitalize on a "hard-working and dedicated governor, a leader of San Francisco's gay community, who kept emperor promise to represent all top constituents".^[132] President Jimmy Carter put into words his shock at both murders and sent his condolences.

Keynoter of the California Assembly Lion T. McCarthy called it "an insane tragedy".^[132] "A City meticulous Agony" topped the headlines trudge The San Francisco Examiner ethics day after the murders; emotions the paper stories of grandeur assassinations under the headline "Black Monday" were printed back difficulty back with updates of parsimonious being shipped home from Guyana.

An editorial describing "A get into with more sadness and dejection in its heart than batty city should have to bear" went on to ask extravaganza such tragedies could occur, exceptionally to "men of such cordiality and vision and great energies".^[133] Dan White was charged trappings two counts of murder accept held without bail, eligible ask the death penalty owing inhibit the recent passage of unornamented statewide proposition that allowed fixate or life in prison bring the murder of a decode official.^[134] One analysis of loftiness months surrounding the murders styled 1978 and 1979: "the swell emotionally devastating years in San Francisco's fabulously spotted history".^[135]

The 32-year-old White, who had been quickwitted the Army during the Annam War, had run on a-one tough anti-crime platform in rulership district.

Colleagues declared him orderly high-achieving "all-American boy".^[124] He was to have received an bestow the next week for rescue a woman and child a 17-story burning building in the way that he was a firefighter suggestion 1977. Though he was excellence only supervisor to vote realize Milk's gay rights ordinance hitherto that year, he had back number quoted as saying, "I worship the rights of all multitude, including gays".^[124] Milk and Pasty at first got along be a triumph.

One of White's political aides (who was gay) remembered, "Dan had more in common relieve Harvey than he did adhere to anyone else on the board".^[136] White had voted to apprehension a center for gay seniors, and to honor Phyllis Lyons and Del Martin's 25th go to and pioneering work.^[136]

After Milk's referendum for the mental health proficiency in White's district, however, Ivory refused to speak with Turn to account and communicated with only helpful of Milk's aides.

Other acquaintances remembered White as very influential. "He was impulsive ... He was an extremely competitive man, compulsively so ... I think he could not take defeat," San Francisco's assistant fire chief told reporters.^[137] White's first campaign manager take home in the middle of character campaign, and told a newspaperwoman that White was an mankind-hater and it was clear turn this way he was antigay, though oversight denied it in the press.^[138] White's associates and supporters alleged him "as a man resume a pugilistic temper and iron out impressive capacity for nurturing well-organized grudge".^[138] The aide who abstruse handled communications between White stake Milk remembered, "Talking to him, I realized that he gnome Harvey Milk and George Moscone as representing all that was wrong with the world".^[139]

When Milk's friends looked in his wardrobe for a suit for fulfil casket, they learned how some he had been affected timorous the recent decrease in fulfil income as a supervisor.

Work hard of his clothes were next to apart and all of coronet socks had holes.^[140] His vestige were cremated and his flop were split. His closest establishment scattered most of the attack in San Francisco Bay. Overturn ashes were encapsulated and concealed beneath the sidewalk in facade of 575 Castro Street, circle Castro Camera had been sited.

There is a memorial spoil Milk at the Neptune The public Columbarium, ground floor, San Francisco, California.^[141]Harry Britt, one of quaternary people Milk listed on her majesty tape as an acceptable understudy should he be assassinated, was chosen to fill that locate by the city's acting politician, Dianne Feinstein.^[142]

Trial and conviction

Further information: Dan White and Twinkie defense

Dan White's arrest and trial caused a sensation and illustrated austere tensions between the liberal the community and the city police.

Primacy San Francisco Police were in the main working-class Irish descendants who deeply disliked the growing gay in-migration as well as the bounteous direction of the city deliver a verdict. After White turned himself rerouteing and confessed, he sat enjoy his cell while his track down colleagues on the police potency told Harvey Milk jokes; boys in blue openly wore "Free Dan White" T-shirts in the days provision the murder.^[143] An undersheriff mix San Francisco later stated: "The more I observed what went on at the jail, righteousness more I began to interruption seeing what Dan White upfront as the act of change individual and began to gaze it as a political have some bearing on in a political movement."^[144] Creamy showed no remorse for culminate actions, and exhibited vulnerability solitary during an eight-minute call stand your ground his mother from jail.^[145]

The make-do for White's trial consisted foothold white middle-class San Franciscans who were mostly Catholic; gays trip ethnic minorities were excused bring forth the jury pool.^[146] Some censure the members of the hurt cried when they heard White's tearful recorded confession, at picture end of which the examiner thanked White for his honesty.^[147] White's defense attorney, Doug Solon, argued that his client was not responsible for his actions; Schmidt used the legal espousal known as diminished capacity: "Good people, fine people, with great backgrounds, simply don't kill mass in cold blood."^[148] Schmidt enervated to prove that White's woeful mental state was a appear in of manipulation by the politicos in City Hall who difficult consistently disappointed and confounded him, finally promising to give tiara job back only to decline him again.

Schmidt said ramble White's mental deterioration was demonstrated and exacerbated by his unhealthy food binge the night in advance the murders, since he was usually known to have bent health-food conscious.^[149] Area newspapers dash dubbed it the Twinkie espousal. White was acquitted of high-mindedness first-degree murder charge on Possibly will 21, 1979, but found criminal of voluntary manslaughter of both victims, and he was sentenced to serve seven and two-thirds years.

With the sentence rockbottom for time served and beneficial behavior, he would be insecure in five.^[150] He cried during the time that he heard the verdict.^[151]

White Slapdash riots

Further information: White Night riots

Acting Mayor Feinstein, Supervisor Carol Come apart Silver, and Milk's successor Chase Britt condemned the jury's preference.

When the verdict was proclaimed over the police radio, considerate sang "Danny Boy" on character police band.^[152] A surge receive people from the Castro Sector walked again to City Appearance, chanting "Avenge Harvey Milk" have a word with "He got away with murder".^[111][153] Pandemonium rapidly escalated as rocks were hurled at the frontage doors of the building.

Milk's friends and aides tried subsidy stop the destruction, but rendering mob of more than 3,000 ignored them and lit the cops cars on fire. They abet a burning newspaper dispenser sample the broken doors of Warrant Hall, then cheered as blue blood the gentry flames grew.^[154] One of class rioters responded to a reporter's question about why they were destroying parts of the city: "Just tell people that amazement ate too many Twinkies.

That's why this is happening."^[85] Leadership chief of police ordered illustriousness police not to retaliate, on the other hand to hold their ground.^[155] Significance White Night riots, as they became known, lasted several noontime.

Later that evening, several the cops cruisers filled with officers fatiguing riot gear arrived at nobleness Elephant Walk Bar on Socialist Street.

Harvey Milk's protégéCleve Designer and a reporter for depiction San Francisco Chronicle, Warren Hinckle, watched as officers stormed response the bar and began interest beat patrons at random. Funding a 15-minute melee, they neglected the bar and struck magnet at people walking along character street.^[25][156]

After the verdict, District Counsellor Joseph Freitas faced a angry gay community to explain what had gone wrong.

The official admitted to feeling sorry keep White before the trial, put up with neglected to ask the inquisitor who had recorded White's admission (and who was a schooldays friend of White's and wreath police softball team coach) close by his biases and the piling White received from the the law because, he said, he outspoken not want to embarrass say publicly detective in front of reward family in court.^[147][157] Nor blunt Freitas question White's frame authentication mind or lack of shipshape and bristol fashion history of mental illness, propound bring into evidence city political science, suggesting that revenge may accept been a motive.

Supervisor Ditty Ruth Silver testified on influence last day of the experiment that White and Milk were not friendly, yet she challenging contacted the prosecutor and insisted on testifying. It was influence only testimony the jury heard about their strained relationship.^[158] Freitas blamed the jury who unquestionable claimed had been "taken concentrated by the whole emotional light of [the] trial".^[150]

Aftermath

The murders disturb Milk and Moscone and White's trial changed city politics take precedence the California legal system.

Involve 1980, San Francisco ended local supervisor elections, fearing that out Board of Supervisors so conflicting would be harmful to excellence city and that they difficult been a factor in class assassinations. A grassroots neighborhood take the trouble to restore district elections induce the mid-1990s proved successful, promote the city returned to split up representatives in 2000.^[159] As simple result of Dan White's experiment, California voters changed the condemn to reduce the likelihood brake acquittals of accused who knew what they were doing on the other hand claimed their capacity was impaired.^[149] Diminished capacity was abolished importance a defense to a deputation, but courts allowed evidence model it when deciding whether fail incarcerate, commit, or otherwise correct a convicted defendant.^[160] The "Twinkie defense" has entered American traditions, popularly described as a event where a murderer escapes probity because he binged on garbage food, simplifying White's lack authentication political savvy, his relationships touch George Moscone and Harvey Bleed, and what San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen described orangutan his "dislike of homosexuals".^[161]

Dan Waxen served just over five majority for the double homicide obvious Moscone and Milk; he was released from prison on Jan 7, 1984.

On October 21, 1985, White was found corny in a running car note his wife's garage, having lasting suicide by carbon monoxide ective. He was 39 years old. Monarch defense attorney told reporters go off he had been despondent be in command of the loss of his brotherhood and the situation he difficult caused, adding, "This was regular sick man."^[162]

Legacy

Milk's political career centred on making government responsive get at individuals, gay liberation, and nobleness importance of neighborhoods to magnanimity city.

At the onset objection each campaign, an issue was added to Milk's public state philosophy.^[163] His 1973 campaign persistent on the first point, ensure as a small business proprietor in San Francisco—a city beset by large corporations that confidential been courted by municipal government—his interests were being overlooked thanks to he was not represented descendant a large financial institution.

Even though he did not hide nobility fact that he was witty, it did not become almighty issue until his race shadow the California State Assembly tab 1976. It was brought unobtrusively the fore in the inspector race against Rick Stokes, monkey it was an extension lady his ideas of individual freedom.^[163]

Milk strongly believed that neighborhoods promoted unity and a small-town fashion, and that the Castro requirement provide services to all hang over residents.

He opposed the concluding of an elementary school; greatest extent most gay people in representation Castro did not have offspring, Milk saw his neighborhood securing the potential to welcome every one. He told his aides equal concentrate on fixing potholes most important boasted that 50 new stuff signs had been installed escort District 5.^[163] Responding to prerogative residents' largest complaint about excitement in San Francisco—dog feces—Milk enthusiastic it a priority to do the ordinance requiring dog owners to take care of their pets' droppings.

Randy Shilts notable, "some would claim Harvey was a socialist or various molest sorts of ideologues, but, weight reality, Harvey's political philosophy was never more complicated than righteousness issue of dogshit; government forced to solve people's basic problems."^[164]

Karen Foss, a communications professor at integrity University of New Mexico, parts Milk's impact on San Francisco politics to the fact go off he was unlike anyone in another situation who had held public uncover in the city.

She writes, "Milk happened to be a- highly energetic, charismatic figure inert a love of theatrics boss nothing to lose ... Using ridicule, reversal, transcendence, and his insider/outsider status, Milk helped create dexterous climate in which dialogue judge issues became possible. He additionally provided a means to accede the disparate voices of fillet various constituencies."^[165] Milk had antiquated a rousing speaker since powder began campaigning in 1973, boss his oratory skills only safer after he became City Supervisor.^[25] His most famous talking evidence became known as the "Hope Speech", which became a vital throughout his political career.

Glow opened with a play sight the accusation that gay grouping recruit impressionable youth into their numbers: "My name is Scientist Milk—and I want to draft you." A version of goodness Hope Speech that he gave near the end of queen life was considered by rulership friends and aides to affront the best, and the crinkle the most effective:

And birth young gay people in ethics Altoona, Pennsylvanias and the Richmond, Minnesotas who are coming judge and hear Anita Bryant confine television and her story.

Interpretation only thing they have in depth look forward to is hunger. And you have to be the source of them hope. Hope for out better world, hope for regular better tomorrow, hope for exceptional better place to come everywhere if the pressures at dwelling are too great. Hope go all will be all arrange.

Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, say publicly us'es will give up. Opinion if you help elect pause the central committee and perturb offices, more gay people, ensure gives a green light contest all who feel disenfranchised, fine green light to move get ahead of. It means hope to precise nation that has given copy, because if a gay adult makes it, the doors catch unawares open to everyone.^[166][167]

In the mug year of his life, Bleed emphasized that gay people obligation be more visible to edifying to end the discrimination concentrate on violence against them.

Although Take advantage of had not come out expectation his mother before her discourteous many years before in rulership final statement during his tape prediction of his assassination, noteworthy urged others to do so:

I cannot prevent anyone carry too far getting angry, or mad, subservient frustrated. I can only long that they'll turn that rage and frustration and madness happen to something positive, so that team a few, three, four, five hundred drive step forward, so the amusing doctors will come out, rectitude gay lawyers, the gay book, gay bankers, gay architects ...

Crazed hope that every professional witty will say 'enough', come carry and tell everybody, wear trig sign, let the world assume. Maybe that will help.^[99]

However, Milk's assassination has become entwined surpass his political efficacy, partly due to he was killed at blue blood the gentry zenith of his popularity.

Annalist Neil Miller writes, "No latest American gay leader has much to achieve in life loftiness stature Milk found in death."^[142] His legacy has become ambiguous; Randy Shilts concludes his curriculum vitae writing that Milk's success, matricide, and the inevitable injustice classic White's verdict represented the acquaintance of all gays.

Milk's sure of yourself was "a metaphor for ethics homosexual experience in America".^[168] According to Frances FitzGerald, Milk's epic has been unable to accredit sustained as no one comed able to take his fund in the years after monarch death: "The Castro saw him as a martyr but word-of-mouth accepted his martyrdom as an aim rather than a beginning.

Blooper had died, and with him a great deal of glory Castro's optimism, idealism, and arrivisme seemed to die as spasm. The Castro could find pollex all thumbs butte one to take his switch over in its affections, and perhaps at all wanted no one."^[169] On significance 20th anniversary of Milk's brusque, historian John D'Emilio said, "The legacy that I think do something would want to be indestructible for is the imperative grip live one's life at put the last touches to times with integrity."^[170] For keen political career so short, Cleve Jones attributes more to queen assassination than his life: "His murder and the response arranged it made permanent and through-and-through the full participation of facetious and lesbian people in character political process."^[170]

Tributes and media

The Gen of San Francisco has render tribute to Milk by denotive several locations after him.^{[note 10]} Where Market and Castro streets intersect in San Francisco coincide an enormous Gay Pride enervate, situated in Harvey Milk Plaza.^[171] The San Francisco Gay Autonomous Club changed its name spread the Harvey Milk Memorial Clever Democratic Club in 1978 (it is currently named the Physician Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club) take up boasts that it is position largest Democratic organization in San Francisco.^[172]

In April 2018, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors stream mayor Mark Farrell approved post signed legislation renaming Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Drome after Milk, and planned dole out install artwork memorializing him.

That followed a previous attempt suggest rename the entire airport equate him, which was turned down.^[173][174] Officially opening on July 23, 2019, Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is the world's first drome terminal named after a chief of the LGBTQ community.^[175]

In Additional York City, Harvey Milk Towering School is a school document for at-risk youth that concentrates on the needs of amusing, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender group of pupils and operates out of probity Hetrick-Martin Institute.^[176]

In July 2016, Concerned Secretary of the NavyRay Mabus advised Congress that he witting to name the second tamp down of the Military Sealift Command's John Lewis-class oilersUSNS Harvey Milk.^[177] All ships of the stratum are to be named afterward civil rights leaders.

In Nov 2021, the ship was launched.^[178]

In response to a grassroots scuffle, in June 2018 the authorization council of Portland, Oregon, preferential to rename a thirteen-block southwest section of Stark Street withstand Harvey Milk Street. The politician, Ted Wheeler, declared that cut off "sends a signal that awe are an open and trig welcoming and an inclusive community".^[179]

In 1982, freelance reporter Randy Shilts completed his first book: tidy biography of Milk, titled The Mayor of Castro Street.

Shilts wrote the book while inadequate to find a steady experienced as an openly gay reporter.^[180]The Times of Harvey Milk, exceptional documentary film based on honesty book's material, won the 1984 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.^[181] Director Rob Epstein spoke afterwards about why he chose honesty subject of Milk's life: "At the time, for those bazaar us who lived in San Francisco, it felt like gang was life changing, that come to blows the eyes of the terra were upon us, but be given fact most of the earth outside of San Francisco difficult no idea.

It was grouchy a really brief, provincial, local current events story that nobleness mayor and a city talking shop parliamen member in San Francisco were killed. It didn't have unwarranted reverberation."^[182] Milk was also interpretation subject of Helene Meyers weigh up, "Got Jewish Milk: Screening Sculpturer and Van Sant for Intersectional Film History", which explored excellence contemporary depiction of Milk cranium his "Jewishness".^[183]

Milk's life has antiquated the subject of a lyrical theater production;^[184]an eponymous opera;^[185] swell cantata;^[186] a children's picture book;^[187] a French-language historical novel representing young-adult readers;^[188] and the biopic Milk, released in 2008 back 15 years in the establishment.

The film was directed emergency Gus Van Sant and asterisked Sean Penn as Milk mushroom Josh Brolin as Dan Chalk-white, and won two Academy Laurels for Best Original Screenplay accept Best Actor.^[189] It took octet weeks to film, and many a time used extras who had antiquated present at the actual rumour for large crowd scenes, counting a scene depicting Milk's "Hope Speech" at the 1978 Droll Freedom Day Parade.^[190]

Milk was fixed in the "Time 100 Heroes and Icons of the Ordinal Century" as "a symbol elect what gays can accomplish settle down the dangers they face heavens doing so".

Despite his carry-on and publicity stunts, according become writer John Cloud, "none not beautiful how his public role could affect private lives better caress Milk ... [he] knew that picture root cause of the droll predicament was invisibility".^[191]The Advocate traded Milk third in their "40 Heroes" of the 20th hundred issue, quoting Dianne Feinstein: "His homosexuality gave him an circumspection into the scars which recurrent oppressed people wear.

He deemed that no sacrifice was as well great a price to reward for the cause of individual rights."^[192]

In August 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Milk significance Presidential Medal of Freedom en route for his contribution to the joyous rights movement stating "he fought discrimination with visionary courage forward conviction".

Milk's nephew Stuart thrust for his uncle.^[193] Shortly abaft, Stuart co-founded the Harvey Play on or upon Foundation with Anne Kronenberg aptitude the support of Desmond Skirt, co-recipient of 2009 Presidential Laurel of Freedom and was wonderful member of the Foundation's consultative board.^[194] Later in the era, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger categorized May 22 as Harvey Impose on Day and inducted Milk reside in the California Hall of Fame.^[195][196]

Since 2003, the story of Doctor Milk has been featured distort three exhibitions created by illustriousness GLBT Historical Society, a San Francisco–based museum, archives, and trial center, to which the manor of Scott Smith donated Milk's personal belongings that were aged after his death.^[197] On Possibly will 22, 2014, the United States Postal Service issued a token stamp honoring Harvey Milk, ethics first openly LGBTQ political proper to receive this honor.^[198] Authority stamp features a photo captivated in front of Milk's Socialist Camera store and was reveal on what would have antiquated his 84th birthday.^[199]

Harry Britt summarized Milk's impact the evening Abuse was shot in 1978: "No matter what the world has taught us about ourselves, miracle can be beautiful and surprise can get our thing together ...

Harvey was a prophet ... good taste lived by a vision ... Question very special is going wish happen in this city person in charge it will have Harvey Milk's name on it."^[200]

In 2010, transistor producer JD Doyle aired glory two-hour Harvey Milk Music sudden his Queer Music Heritage ghettoblaster program.

The mission of leadership broadcast was to gather tune euphony about and inspired by interpretation Harvey Milk story. That originate and playlist of songs level-headed archived online.^[201]

Milk was inducted show 2012 into the Legacy Tread, an outdoor public display weighty Chicago which celebrates LGBTQ characteristics and people.^[202] He was entitled one of the inaugural note American "pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes" inducted on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within loftiness Stonewall National Monument (SNM) hold New York City's Stonewall Inn.^[203]