By 1973, Harvey Milk had already worn many hats: he was a naval officer, a high school teacher, a bit-part actor, and even a wandering hippie. But when he opened a camera shop in San Francisco, he found himself drawn into the world of politics. The Watergate scandal and the struggles of underfunded teachers sparked a fire in him, making him realize the urgent need for political change.
Milk believed that strong, close-knit neighborhoods were the backbone of the city. He thought the government should focus on solving everyday problems, like fixing potholes and encouraging community cooperation. This belief led him to run for the city’s Board of Supervisors, representing the Castro district, a hub of American gay culture.
During this time, the LGBT community faced severe challenges, including police brutality, discrimination, and negative media portrayals. Despite these obstacles, Milk was open about his sexuality and believed that gay rights could not be won from the shadows. He saw the Castro as a community needing representation and was determined to fight for all marginalized groups in San Francisco, regardless of race, age, or sexuality.
Although Milk was a talented speaker with a big heart, his radical ideas were not immediately accepted by voters. He lost his first two campaigns for the Board of Supervisors in 1973 and 1975, and a bid for the California Assembly in 1976. Despite these setbacks, he continued to support his community, earning the nickname “mayor of Castro Street” for his efforts.
In 1977, during his third campaign for the Board of Supervisors, Milk finally won a seat, becoming one of the first openly gay public officials in U.S. history. He quickly got to work, introducing a bill to ban discrimination based on sexuality and launching a major clean-up of the city. However, his progressive ideas faced opposition, especially with the rise of California’s Proposition 6, which sought to ban homosexuals from working in schools.
Proposition 6 supporters attacked the LGBT community, claiming they were unfit to work with students. In response, Milk urged people to come out and challenge these prejudices: “Come out to your relatives. Come out to your friends, if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors, to your fellow workers… break down the myths. Destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake.” Alongside other activists, he led a passionate campaign against this hate. On November 7, 1978, Proposition 6 was defeated in a landslide, showing that Milk’s message was making an impact.
Tragically, just twenty days after this victory, Milk was assassinated at City Hall, along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. They were killed by Dan White, a former supervisor who opposed the changes Milk represented. Following Milk’s murder, thousands marched through the city in candlelight vigils.
In the aftermath, another injustice unfolded. White received a controversial sentence of only seven years and eight months, sparking outrage and leading to the White Night Riots. Despite his death, Milk’s message of hope lived on. He left behind tapes for his friends and followers, urging them to continue fighting against injustice: “I ask for the movement to continue… and if a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door…”
Research more about Harvey Milk’s life and his contributions to the LGBT community. Create a presentation that highlights his key achievements and the impact he had on society. Share your findings with the class, focusing on how his vision of equality is relevant today.
Participate in a class debate about Proposition 6. Divide into two groups, with one supporting and the other opposing the proposition. Use historical context and Milk’s arguments to support your stance. This will help you understand the complexities of political campaigns and civil rights issues.
Inspired by Milk’s focus on community issues, develop a plan to address a local problem in your neighborhood or school. Work in groups to identify an issue, propose solutions, and outline steps to implement your plan. Present your action plan to the class.
Write a reflective essay on how Harvey Milk’s life and legacy influence your understanding of equality and activism. Consider how his message of hope and courage can be applied to current social justice movements. Share your essay with the class for feedback.
Watch a documentary or film about Harvey Milk, such as “Milk” starring Sean Penn. After the screening, participate in a class discussion about the film’s portrayal of Milk’s life and the challenges he faced. Discuss how the film enhances your understanding of his contributions to the fight for equality.
By 1973, Harvey Milk had already experienced many roles: naval officer, high school teacher, bit-part actor, and wandering hippie. As he started a new chapter running a camera shop in San Francisco, he found himself increasingly distracted by the Watergate hearings and the struggles of a teacher who had to rent a projector due to budget constraints. This sparked in him a strong belief in the urgent need for political reform.
Milk was convinced that tight-knit neighborhoods were essential to the city’s fabric and that government should address the practical problems faced by these communities. He envisioned a more personal approach to local governance, focusing on issues like fixing potholes and promoting a culture of cooperation. This philosophy motivated him to run for the city’s Board of Supervisors, representing his district, which included the heart of American gay culture, the Castro.
At that time, the LGBT community faced significant challenges, including police brutality, discrimination, and negative media portrayals, which marginalized Harvey and his supporters. However, Milk was unapologetic about his sexuality, believing that gay rights could not be achieved from the shadows. He recognized the Castro as a community in need of representation in city politics and was determined to advocate for all of San Francisco’s disenfranchised groups, regardless of race, age, or sexuality.
Despite his talent for public speaking and his open-hearted approach, voters did not embrace Milk’s radical vision initially. He lost his first bid for the Board of Supervisors in 1973 and again in 1975. A year later, he ran for the California Assembly and lost once more. Nevertheless, he continued to support his district, building relationships with local bartenders, construction unions, and Chinese grocers, earning him the affectionate title of the “mayor of Castro Street.”
In 1977, during his third campaign for the Board of Supervisors, Milk finally won a seat, becoming one of the first openly gay public officials in U.S. history. Filled with determination, he introduced a bill to outlaw discrimination based on sexuality and initiated a major clean-up of the city. However, not everyone supported this direction. Anti-gay sentiment was rising nationally, particularly with California’s Proposition 6, which aimed to prohibit homosexuals from working in schools. This became the most significant battle of Milk’s career.
Supporters of Proposition 6 attacked the LGBT community, deeming them unfit to work with students. In response, Milk encouraged people to come out and confront the prejudices: “Come out to your relatives. Come out to your friends, if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors, to your fellow workers… break down the myths. Destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake.” Alongside other activists, he led a passionate campaign against hate. On November 7, 1978, Proposition 6 was defeated in a landslide, demonstrating that Milk’s message was resonating.
Tragically, just twenty days after this victory, Milk was assassinated at City Hall, alongside San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. Both were killed by Dan White, a former fellow supervisor who opposed what he viewed as radical changes. White had often clashed with Milk and resented the progress he represented. Following Milk’s murder, thousands marched through the city in candlelight vigils.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, another injustice emerged. In a highly controversial verdict, White received a sentence of only seven years and eight months, igniting outrage throughout the city and leading to the White Night Riots. Even after his death, Milk’s message of hope endured. He left behind three different tapes for his friends and followers to play in the event of his assassination, urging them to continue the fight against injustice: “I ask for the movement to continue… and if a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door…”
Harvey – Referring to Harvey Milk, an influential American politician and the first openly gay elected official in California. – Harvey Milk’s election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 marked a significant milestone in the fight for LGBT rights.
Milk – Referring to Harvey Milk, a symbol of hope and courage for the LGBT community. – Milk’s legacy continues to inspire activists around the world to advocate for equality and justice.
Equality – The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. – The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was a pivotal period in American history that sought to achieve racial equality.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – The LGBT community has played a crucial role in advocating for social change and acceptance.
Discrimination – The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. – Discrimination based on sexual orientation was a significant issue that Harvey Milk fought against during his political career.
Politics – The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. – Politics in the 20th century saw significant shifts as marginalized groups began to gain representation and influence.
LGBT – An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, representing a community advocating for equal rights and acceptance. – The LGBT rights movement has made substantial progress in securing legal protections and societal acceptance over the past few decades.
Campaign – An organized course of action to achieve a particular goal, often in a political or social context. – Harvey Milk’s campaign for public office was groundbreaking and inspired many to become politically active.
Legacy – Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past. – The legacy of the Civil Rights Movement is evident in today’s ongoing struggles for social justice and equality.
Justice – The quality of being fair and reasonable, often in the context of the law or moral rightness. – The pursuit of justice has been a central theme in many social movements throughout history, including the fight for civil rights.
