Milk, Harvey (1930–1978)

Harvey Milk is described as one of the most influential gay rights activists and politicians of the 20th century. He was the first openly gay person to run for office in the United States and win the election. He also helped organize the gay rights movement of the 1970s.

Born on May 22, 1930, on Long Island, New York, Milk earned degrees in mathematics and history from Albany State College and served in the U.S. Navy. After being dishonorably discharged for his homosexuality, he moved to San Francisco, the “gay Mecca.”

In 1972, he opened a camera shop in the now famous Castro district. At the time, many gay people moved into the area, opening their own businesses. Milk saw the need for these businesses to be organized and became an advocate for them in local government. He started the Castro Valley Association, an organization that helped the gay community become politically organized and gain allies within labor unions and, eventually, from among local political leaders.

Milk was also known for creating community. His sense of humor and kindness helped gain support for his campaign to run for a seat on the San Francisco board of supervisors. After running for the seat four times, he won the election in 1977, becoming the first openly gay person to hold office in the United States. This was characterized as a huge victory for the gay rights movement, since it happened in the wake of the anti-gay movement “Save Our Children” led by Anita Bryant.

But this victory would not last. On November 27, 1978, Milk, along with San Francisco mayor George Moscone, were murdered by former city supervisor Danny White at City Hall. White left the board after the enactment of the Gay Civil Rights Bill, which he opposed. Milk had served only 11 months on the board.

The trial of Danny White also made history. White's attorney argued that White did not know what he was doing because he ate too much junk food on the day of the shootings. It became known as the twinkie defense, and White was convicted of two counts of voluntary manslaughter and given a 7-year, 8-month prison sentence. He was paroled after 6 years and killed himself shortly after his release.

Milk's legacy continues to live on. One hundred thousand people marched on the 1-year anniversary of his death to the nation's capital in support of gay rights, chanting “Harvey Milk lives.” His seat was won by the second openly gay politician in the United States, Harry Britt. His camera shop was turned into a gay-owned restaurant aptly named “Harvey's.” Further, the Harvey Milk Institute was set up in the 1980s to support gay art, history, and activism. In an eerie twist, assassination was often on Milk's mind during his public life. Milk is celebrated as one of the most inspiring gay rights activists of his time.