Harvey Milk Day is recognized each year on May 22nd and this day is dedicated to celebrating the memory of Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk was a civil and human rights activist. He was the first openly gay elected official in the United States. In California, Milk is seen as a significant symbol of LGBTQ rights and the fight for equality. Discrimination towards the LGBTQ community was at an all-time high, when Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Sadly, just a year after taking office, LGBTQ discrimination is what lead to Milk's assassination.
From the Harvey Milk Foundation, "Harvey Milk believed that government should represent individuals, not just downtown interests, and should insure equality for all citizens while providing needed services. He spoke for the participation of LGBTQ people and other minorities in the political process. In the years since Milk’s assassination, public opinion has shifted on gay marriage, gays in the military, and other issues, and there have been hundreds of openly LGBT public officials in America, yet the work continues. The Harvey Milk Foundation, established by his nephew, Stuart Milk, and Anne Kronenberg, his campaign manager and aide, is dedicated to realizing his vision of equality and authenticity for everyone, everywhere."
Today Milk is still considered a hero among the LGBTQ community. His devotion and passion to his mission paved the way for the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights. In 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger established Harvey Milk Day as a way to honor Milk's efforts and his legacy.
"It takes no compromise to give people their rights, it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression."
- Harvey Milk
At Matthew 25 we recognize and celebrate Harvey Milk Day and all of his advocacy and activism efforts in the LGBTQ community.
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