Slain Gay Activist Harvey Milk Honored with Day in California

(Oct. 13) California Gov. Schwarzenegger signed legislation late Sunday recognizing “Harvey Milk Day” each May 22nd, Milk’s birthday.

The Republican governor vetoed a similar bill last year. In his veto message Schwarzenegger said Milk should be honored locally by those who were most impacted by his contributions. He did not write a signing message this year explaining why he changed his mind.

"He has become much more of a symbol of the gay community than he was a year ago because of those things," Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said. "That made the difference from last year: he's really come to symbolize the gay community in California."

"Harvey Milk Day" will not be a formal state holiday, so government employees will not be given the day off. Instead, the bill calls for the day to be observed by public schools. Teachers are encouraged to create lessons "remembering the life of Harvey Milk, recognizing his accomplishments and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to this state."

State Sen. Mark Leno, who wrote the bill, said Milk was a human rights leader who was as impactful as other civil rights activist.

"Harvey's work was not only about the respect and dignity and validation of the LGBT community, but for all human life. That's why I think he ranks among the other world-renown human rights leaders," he said.

While gay rights groups praised the governor’s decision, conservative groups have responded with scorn.

“It is no wonder schoolchildren in California are struggling on standardized tests, when lawmakers continue to promote political correctness in the classroom over academic achievement," said Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute.

Randy Thomasson, president of Save California.com, said he was appalled by the governor's decision.

"Sadly, children in public schools will now have even more in-your-face, homosexual-bisexual-transsexual indoctrination," Thomasson said in a statement.

Despite the opposition, gay rights advocators see the bill passing as a small victory in the march towards gay rights.

"This will go a long way to better inform Californians as to the nature of the civil rights struggle in the LGBT community," Leno said.

Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first openly gay man elected to public office in a major U.S. city, in 1977.

In that position, Milk played a prominent role in defeating an initiative that would have put a ballot proposition to voters on whether or not to prevent gays and lesbians from teaching in the state’s public schools.

In November 1978, Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated at City Hall by former supervisor Dan White, who had resigned his seat.

Milk & Mayor