Harvey Milk Day is a California state holiday observed annually on May 22 (Milk's birthday). The day serves as a reminder of Harvey Milk and his legacy advocating for civil rights and the LGBTQ+ community.
Let’s take this opportunity to learn more about the famous activist and how he helped transform the LGBTQ+ community into what it is today.
Who was Harvey Milk?
Harvey Milk will forever be known as the first openly gay man elected to public office in California.
He was born in Woodmere, New York, in 1930 and moved to San Francisco in the early 1970s. He first ran for public office in 1973, throwing his hat in the ring for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Milk lost that bid, but the following year, he became the co-owner of Castro Camera in San Francisco's Castro District. There, he became involved in several community organizations, including the Castro Village Association and the Gay Democratic Club.
In 1977, Milk ran for the Board of Supervisors again, and this time he won. As a Supervisor, Milk fought for the rights of the LGBTQ community, senior citizens, and other marginalized groups.
In 1978, he helped defeat Proposition 6 (the "Briggs Initiative"), a statewide ballot measure that would have banned gay people from working in California public schools. That same year, Milk sponsored a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment and housing, one of the earliest examples of gay rights legislation in the United States.
Inspirational Quotes from Harvey Milk
"Hope will never be silent."
"All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential."
"Coming out is the most political thing you can do."
"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door in the country."
"All men are created equal. No matter how hard they try, they can never erase those words. That is what America is about."
"The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up."
How Did Harvey Milk Die?
On November 27, 1978, Daniel White, a former member of the Board of Supervisors, assassinated Milk and San Francisco Mayor, George Moscone.
Milk's death was particularly devastating for the gay community. His assassination was seen as a significant loss and a horrifying reminder of the violence and discrimination that LGBTQ+ people face. Moscone's death also shocked San Francisco, where he was widely respected as a progressive leader.
In the wake of the deaths of Milk and Moscone, thousands of people took to the streets in protest. This eventually led to changes in California state law, including the elimination of the notorious "Twinkie Defense," which had been used by White's lawyers to argue that he was not entirely responsible for his actions.
Despite his short time in public office, Milk is remembered as a significant figure in the LGBTQ community. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
What Is the Harvey Milk Foundation?
In 2009, Stuart Milk and Anne Kronenberg founded the Harvey Milk Foundation to honor Harvey Milk's legacy and continue his work of promoting equality and social justice.
The nonprofit organization's mission is to empower LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and organizations to realize Milk's vision of a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The foundation achieves this by providing education, outreach, and advocacy programs.
One of the Harvey Milk Foundation's first achievements was helping to establish Harvey Milk Day. In 2009, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill creating the holiday after the foundation played a crucial role in advocating for it.
History of Harvey Milk Day
Since Milk died in 1978, people have fought to keep his legacy alive. May 22 was chosen as Harvey Milk Day because it marks Milk's birthday. It represents the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and the ongoing fight for equality, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
In 2022, Governor Newsom signed a proclamation to recognize Harvey Milk Day as an official day of particular significance in California. Outside of the state, it is celebrated by activists for social justice around the world.
How You Can Celebrate Harvey Milk Day
Even if you don't live in San Francisco or the state of California, you can celebrate Harvey Milk Day by helping a variety of causes that benefit the LGBTQ+ community or other marginalized groups. Here are a couple of ways to honor Milk's legacy.
Donate to the Harvey Milk Foundation
The Harvey Milk Foundation relies on donations to continue its advocacy in memory of Milk. Make a donation to show your support for the foundation.
Take Time to Understand the Efforts of Harvey Milk
Harvey Milk will always be known as a tireless activist for the LGBTQ+ community, but he also advocated for senior citizens. He was a proponent of education, affordable childcare, and social justice. He dedicated his short life to the causes that were important to him. If you would like to honor his legacy, learn about and understand his efforts, then follow his lead in your community.
Harvey Milk and the SFGMC
In many ways, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus will be forever linked to the legacy of Harvey Milk. Here are some ways their shared history has intertwined over the years—and how SFGMC continues to honor Milk's legacy.
Milk was excited when Jon Sims founded the chorus in 1978. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to hear the group perform. The chorus met for only its fourth rehearsal on the night of his assassination. The first public performance of SFGMC would be at a vigil for Milk, held at San Francisco City Hall.
In 2013, SFGMC recorded I Am Harvey Milk and released it on CD. The album told the story of Milk's life in a style described as "part choral work, part theater piece." It later won the Soundtrack/Cast Recording award at the Independent Music Awards (IMAs).
In 2021, SFGMC created and awarded the first Give 'Em Hope Awards. Inspired by Milk's famous "Hope" speech, the Give 'Em Hope Awards recognize five artists. They each receive $1,500 to support an artistic project focusing on themes of hope.
Donate to SFGMC
Like Harvey Milk, SFGMC works to promote acceptance and inclusivity. Make a donation to the cause today.
All proceeds directly support our programs and performances and help create an inclusive and equal world for LGBTQ+ individuals.