Who was Harvey Milk? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Harvey Bernard Milk

Died At Age: 48

Family:

father: William Milk

mother: Minerva Karns Milk

siblings: Robert Milk

Political Leaders American Men

political ideology: Democratic

Died on: November 27, 1978

place of death: San Francisco, California, United States

Notable Alumni: University At Albany, SUNY

Ancestry: Lithuanian American

Cause of Death: Assassination

U.S. State: New Yorkers

Founder/Co-Founder: San Francisco Gay Democratic Club

More Facts

education: University At Albany, SUNY

awards: 2009 - Presidential Medal of Freedom

Recommended For You

1

Was Harvey Milk the first openly gay elected official in California?

Yes, Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.
2

How did Harvey Milk contribute to the LGBTQ rights movement?

Harvey Milk was a prominent LGBTQ rights activist who worked to fight discrimination and promote equality for the LGBTQ community. He played a key role in passing gay rights ordinances in San Francisco.
3

What impact did Harvey Milk's assassination have on the LGBTQ community?

Harvey Milk's assassination in 1978 had a profound impact on the LGBTQ community, sparking outrage and galvanizing the fight for LGBTQ rights. His legacy continues to inspire activism and advocacy.
4

What is the significance of Harvey Milk Day?

Harvey Milk Day, celebrated on May 22nd, honors the legacy of Harvey Milk and his contributions to the LGBTQ rights movement. It serves as a day to promote equality and celebrate diversity.
5

How is Harvey Milk remembered today?

Harvey Milk is remembered as a pioneering LGBTQ rights activist and a symbol of courage and resilience. His legacy continues to inspire movements for equality and justice around the world.

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American Political Leaders

Childhood & Early Life

He was the son of Jewish parents William Milk and Minerva Karns. His family owned a departmental store.

He attended the Bay Shore High School and graduated in 1947. He played football and developed an interest in opera while there. He realized that he was homosexual but kept this a secret; no one at his school or college suspected his sexual orientation.

He enrolled at New York State College for Teachers in 1947 and graduated in 1951 with a major in mathematics. He was a friendly and extroverted student who was liked by all.

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Career

He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was discharged from the Navy in 1955 at the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.

He took up a teaching job at George W. Hewlett High School. Dissatisfied with his career, he tried his hand at several other jobs, including stints as a stock analyst and a Wall Street investment banker.

He moved to San Francisco with his partner, Scott Smith, in 1972. San Francisco had the largest population of gays during that time. They opened a camera store called Castro Camera. Milk was a caring individual and became well-known within his neighborhood. He had a keen interest in solving people’s problems and thus decided to enter politics.

He ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1973 and lost due to lack of experience. He again declared his candidacy in 1974 and again lost—but by this he had become a more popular political force and had the public’s support.

Due to his popularity in the neighborhood, he was affectionately called the ‘Mayor of Castro Street’. In 1977 he finally won a seat on the San Francisco City-County Board and was inaugurated in January 1978 — becoming the first openly gay individual to be elected to office in the United States.

One of the first steps he took was to sponsor a civil rights bill that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation. This was met with enthusiasm and good cheer by the majority of the public, especially the LGBT community. Only one of his colleagues, Supervisor Dan White was opposed to this as he believed it led to the breakdown of traditional norms.

He encouraged the LGBT individuals to come out and participate in political activities. He believed that visibility was necessary to garner support for the LGBT civil rights movement and to sensitize the general public about the unique issues faced by gays.

He also focused on solving another big problem faced by the community, that of dog excrement left by the pet dogs in the pavements. He worked on a city ordinance that required pet owners to scoop their pets’ excrements.

He was concerned not just about the welfare of the LGBT community, but about all the sections of the society. He took steps to promote lesser expensive child care, free public transportation and the development of a board of civilians to oversee the police.

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Major Works

As a Supervisor he passed a gay rights ordinance and defeated the Briggs Initiative which would have banned members of the LGBT community from working in public schools. He was a gay icon and leader of the LGBT civil rights movement who set the precedent for several of the gay rights leaders today.

Awards & Achievements

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest civilian award of the United States—posthumously in 2009 for his contribution to the gay rights movement.

Personal Life & Legacy

He realized during his adolescence that he was gay. He had been in relationships with many men including Craig Rodwell, Joe Campbell, and Scott Smith.

One of his detractors in politics was his colleague, Dan White who was also a Supervisor. He was bitterly opposed to Milk’s policies and activities and shot him dead on November 27, 1978.

Milk was a cultural icon and several books, plays, and films have been based on his life.

Facts About Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk was known for his love of opera and often attended performances at the San Francisco Opera House.

He was a skilled public speaker and used his charisma to inspire and mobilize the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco.

Harvey Milk was a firm believer in the power of grassroots activism and community organizing to bring about social change.

He was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Harvey Milk was passionate about supporting small businesses in San Francisco's Castro district, where he owned a camera shop.

Harvey Milk Biography

You wanted to know

Was Harvey Milk the first openly gay elected official in California?

How did Harvey Milk contribute to the LGBTQ rights movement?

What impact did Harvey Milk's assassination have on the LGBTQ community?

What is the significance of Harvey Milk Day?

How is Harvey Milk remembered today?