Gay Rights - Harvey Milk Tribute

Some great men (and women) have made, make and will make History... Harvey Milk (May 22, 1930 -- November 27, 1978) is one of them.

He was the first openly gay man to be elected to a political position in the United States. Before this he had served in the Korean War and worked as a Wall Street investment banker.

Harvey was elected to the position of San Francisco City Supervisor in 1977. An article in Time Magazine on the 100 most important people of the past century explained :
"As supervisor, Harvey sponsored only two laws — predictably, one barring anti-gay discrimination, and, less so, a law forcing dog owners to clean pets' messes from sidewalks. He lobbied for the latter with a staged amble through a park that ended with his stepping in it...He explained the stunt this way: All over the country, they're reading about me, and the story doesn't center on me being gay. It's just about a gay person who is doing his job."

A year into the job, Harvey was murdered alongside San Francisco mayor, George Moscone. The shooter was a fellow politician, Dan White, who was an outspoken anti-gay conservative.
White was convicted of manslaughter and received a sentence of 8 years and 7 months. Many people felt this sentence was too lenient and rioted in the streets.

As if predicting his political success might put him in jeopardy, Harvey wrote in his will, "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door." Though not every closet door has been destroyed, thirty years after his murder, it would seem that many more have been swung open.

Today numerous gay organizations have been named after Harvey Milk, including a public high school in New York City.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Harvey Milk
• fight
• Gay rights
• assassination
• tribute

[DerVomFreitag]

YEAAH - great ! big thanks - I saw the movie in cinema ! Thanks for sharing this video !

Manuel

[Skeetchman]

@DerVomFreitag

You're completely right Manu, a touching movie (very respectful) on life & times of Harvey Milk

Thanks for watching

Hugs

[witchwild]

What a Wonderful poignant tribute to a legend. I'm in the UK. Just finished watching MILK. And I have to say although there is incredible progress in US for Gay Rights since Harvey started Fighting for the Cause, it breaks my heart to see that the homophobic bigots of 2012 still use the same vile language as ppl like Bryant & Briggs did in the 70's! And they still have the *same* shameful Un-Christian attitudes! Sad there remain so many ppl in the States who are still so painfully backward.

[dagerdon5741]

You have the right to be free and I have the right to be free from you.

[adam45511]

Thank you for a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. I knew Harvey, as an aquaintance, and he was just a regular guy...a guy who, when he realized his potential to move people, used this charisma to better the lives of all San Franciscans. Thanks to him, we now have openly gay politicians fighting for gay equality all over these United States. He is my personal hero.

[DerVomFreitag]

@MrJay1279 OMG you was singing - grat compliments - great voice and feeeling

Many thanks again Manuel

[MrJay1279]

@DerVomFreitag yes thanks so much wonderful vid and the song was perfect i was singing lol :)

[LesMarvelous]

Thanks a lot for this great tribute of a brave fighter - not only for LGBT rights but also for labor rights... He was elected with the support of the trade union.

Harvey knew that there'll be only a real change in society with equal rights and justice for all, when the struggles unite! This should be not forgotten!

Harvey was a normal guy, who became an activist because his political awareness changed while he got organized in the social movement for better neighbourhood living conditions!

[boricuas4669]

R.I.P. !