Harvey Milk

Harvey Bernard Milk (May 22, 1930 – November 27, 1978) was an American politician and the first openly gay elected official in the history of California. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.

Early Life

Harvey Milk was born in Woodmere, New York, to Lithuanian Jewish parents. He attended Bay Shore High School and later graduated from the New York State College for Teachers (now University at Albany, SUNY) in 1951.

Career

Milk served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955. He worked as a teacher, a researcher, and a financial analyst before moving to San Francisco in 1972.

Political Career

In San Francisco, Milk became a prominent gay rights activist. He ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors three times before finally winning a seat in 1977. Milk's election was a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ community, as he was one of the first openly gay officials in the United States.

Achievements

During his time in office, Milk sponsored a bill banning discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment based on sexual orientation. This was a landmark piece of legislation for LGBTQ+ rights.

Assassination

On November 27, 1978, Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Dan White, a disgruntled former city supervisor. Milk's death sparked widespread outrage and led to the White Night riots in San Francisco.

Legacy

Harvey Milk is remembered as a pioneer of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. His life and career have been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including the 2008 film Milk, which won two Academy Awards.

See Also

• LGBTQ+ rights in the United States
• History of San Francisco
• Assassination of George Moscone and Harvey Milk

References

• Randy,

 The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk, 
  
 St. Martin's Press, 
 1982, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-0312019006,

Harvey Milk(link). History.com.

Accessed October 10, 2023.

External Links

• Harvey Milk Foundation
• Harvey Milk Biography at SF Gov