He was the first openly gay person elected to public office in California when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors but his term lasted just 11 months because he along with San Francisco mayor were felled by assassins bullets in 1979 fired by former supervisor Dan White.
His May 22 birthday is now a state holiday in California and politicians on the liberal-progressive side of the aisle contemplated Milk's groundbreaking legacy.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, whose district covers San Francisco, said in a statement Tuesday that Milk's work has endured the test of time.
"His legacy lives on in you," she said. "Harvey gave us a green light and so many of you continue his work. Today that means our continued fight to end workplace discrimination, keep families and loving couples together, ensure the freedom to marry and repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. Harvey Milk's leadership for his community was relentless. He changed the course of history by always pushing for progress and for the American ideal of equality--our heritage and our hope. We too must be relentless in our efforts to ensure the fundamental rights of all Americans."
The California Democratic Party also released a statement saying, "34 years following Milk’s assassination, his message of hope continues to inspire a global movement committed to equality for millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people eager to participate in their nation’s political, social, legal and civic institutions."
Happy Milk Day, everyone.
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