The Story of Harvey Milk

Senate Bill 572In California, Harvey Milk Day is recognized

as a day of special significance for public schools.

Harvey Milk was a visionary civil and human rights leader. He was born on May 22, 1930, in New York. Harvey came from a small, middle class, Jewish family where he grew up during the time of the Nazi invasion in Germany.

He attended college in New York where he penned a popular weekly student newspaper column where he began questioning issues of diversity. He graduated from college in 1951 and enlisted in the Navy.

Following his time in the Navy, he taught high school in New York City and gradually became more actively involved in politics and advocacy. Late in 1972, Harvey moved to San Francisco and opened up Castro Camera. Castro Camera quickly became the center of Harvey’s new neighborhood. Harvey’s sense of humor and theatricality made him a popular figure in the city.

Because he thought some changes needed to occur within the San Francisco government, in 1973, he declared his candidacy for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He lost the election. In 1975, he ran again and narrowly lost. Harvey filed for candidacy for a position in the State Assembly, but lost that election too.

Harvey didn’t lose hope or give up. In his fourth attempt at an elected office, in 1977, he easily won a position on the Board of Supervisors for the City and County of San Francisco and was inaugurated as one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States.

Harvey Milk at his inauguration with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone

Harvey worked hard to serve his community. He sponsored an important anti-discrimination bill and was an advocate for safe neighborhoods, library services and community policing. He spoke out about discrimination and rights for marginalized communities.

On November 27, 1978, a disgruntled former City Supervisor assassinated Harvey Milk and George Moscone, the mayor of San Francisco.

Although Harvey had only been in office for eleven months, he made a significant impact on the San Francisco community.

Candlelight march the evening of Harvey Milk’s assassination

There are several public schools named after Harvey Milk as well as a Federal building and public recreation center.

Entrance to Harvey Milk High School, New York

A bill designating Harvey Milk’s birthday, May 22, as an annual “Harvey Milk Day” was introduced and signed into to law in 2008 by former Governor Schwarzenegger. Harvey believed that one person could make a difference in the lives of others, and that government should represent all types of individuals.

Stuart Milk, Harvey’s nephew, accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2009 on behalf of his uncle.

Vocabulary Words• Civil rights• Human rights• Diversity• Candidacy• Discrimination• Advocate• Minorities• Marginalized