Do you know who Harvey Milk was?

Question

Or why we should remember him?

This is in connection to the following question.
Future generations of LGBT people?
Do you worry that future generations of LGBT people will just take for granted all that has happened for their cause in the years before?

Answer 1

Milk - SF city supervisor and gay rights activist - was gunned down in cold blood with Mayor Moscone in City Hall in November 1978. The assassin received a seven-year jail sentence, in a hideous, lenient judgment on who was a political opponent of both men.

Answer 2

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay member of the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco. He, along with mayor George Moscone were murdered in 1978 by another fellow supervisor at the time. The reason it is relevant is because Harvey Milk came out openly at a time when it was not a popular idea to out yourself, but he did it for the city's gay population and their rights. For future generations, it is these types of actions that we should remember as a basis for some sacrifices and struggles we may have to make for equality.

Answer 3

Harvey Milk, like a lot of us, was a gay man that found himself drawn to San Francisco to avoid the discrimination we faced in our daily lives in many other parts of the country. Harvey became a business owner in the Castro in SF, and became an activist for gay rights. He was the first openly gay City Council member in San Francisco, and although he might one day have become mayor, he never held that position. There is often confusion about Milk's political position because he was frequently called "the Mayor of Castro Street", and author Randy Shilts wrote a biography of Milk with that name. A disgruntled colleague, fellow SF City Council member Dan White, shot and killed Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone on November 27, 1978.

Both Milk and Moscone have been memorialized by the naming of many schools and public buildings after them. Milk's memory and legacy has spread across the country and the world with the gay community, and he is still remembered fondly in San Francisco.

Answer 4

He was the first openly gay political figure in the US. From San Francisco, the city supervisor I believe. He, along with the Mayer was assassinated in November of 78. The gunman got a 7 year sentence for it and the public was so outraged by this it prompted whats become known as the White Night Riots.

Answer 5

Yes, I know him. There have been movies made about his political activism and his assassination, movies which I've seen. And you are right to say that the younger generation of gay people need to be made aware of the community's history.

I also believe it is appropriate to look at even more public figures who were openly gay. How about looking at some of the movies about Oscar Wilde? How about informing the younger generation of LGBT people that they should learn how and why Oscar Wilde was sent to jail in London, England 112 years ago?

Answer 6

Yes, he was the openly gay mayor of San Francisco, who was shot and killed at City Hall. Dianne Feinstein took over as acting mayor and that is where she got her fame. I remember these events as a kid, even from far-off Texas.

Edit--Thanks, Juan. I was a little unsure if he was mayor but I did remember two people were shot. Your account is correct, not mine. But the part about Dianne taking over for the slain mayor is correct.

Answer 7

Yes, as I live in San Francisco. :o)

FYI Elaine Noble is considered to be the first openly LGBT elected official, but Harvey wasn't far behind.
If we forget him, not only do we forget history, but his bravery and willingness to be a role model [albeit a very human one].

Answer 8

Not really, but they have a gay and lesbian high school in New York and it is named after Harvey Milk.

Answer 9

Strong and wonderful gay advocate. Mayor of San Fran. Great man. I admire him

Answer 10

A moment of silence for Milk, plz.:
































































Thank you.