Wednesday 02-02-2022 - 09:51

This Wednesday, SOCIAL goes queer with MILK SOCIAL, Edge Hill’s LGBTQ+ club night. But where does the name come from? Well, it’s more important than you might think. 

MILK SOCIAL is named after Harvey Milk, visionary civil rights and human rights leader who became the first openly gay elected official in the US in 1977. Although his work serves as an inspiration for the LGBTQ+ community, many don't know his story or influence. 

Milk was born in 1930. He served in the navy before resigning after being officially questioned about his identity, which was, unfortunately, very common. In 1972, Milk moved to San Francisco, where he opened a camera store on Castro Street, in the heart of the city’s growing queer community. His shop quickly became a neighbourhood centre and safe space, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. 

After some area merchants tried to prevent two gay men from opening a store, Milk and other business owners founded the Castro Village Association, with Milk as president. Its success made it a powerful force, both supporting queer businesses, and providing blueprint for other LGBTQ+ communities. By now, Milk was established as the leading political spokesman for Castro’s vibrant LGBT community. 

With the support of his campaign manager Anne Kronenberg and the local LGBTQ+ community, Milk ran for state assembly in 1977. After two previous failed attempts, he won the election and was inaugurated as San Francisco City-County Supervisor on 9 January 1978. As well as being a personal triumph for Milk, this was a hugely important victory for the LGBT community, making national and international headlines.

As county supervisor, Milk did so much for his entire constituency. He established daycare centres for working mothers, low-cost housing, and improved library services and community policing in Castro. He spoke out in the interest of LGBTQ+ people, women, racial and ethnic minorities and other marginalized communities.

One of Milk’s main efforts during his time in office was against was a California ballot initiative, Proposition 6, which would have mandated the firing of LGBTQ+ teachers in public schools. Attendance swelled at marches in San Francisco and LA as Milk and others campaigned against this hateful law. This strong, effective opposition led by Milk meant the proposition was defeated at a time when other political attacks on the queer community were being successfully introduced around the US.

Milk received daily homophobic death threats, and he was aware of the unfortunate likelihood of his assassination. On 27 November 1978, Milk’s incredible career was tragically cut short. Dan White, a former city supervisor assassinated both Milk and Mayor George Moscone. That night, crowds of thousands spontaneously came together on Castro Street and marched to City Hall in a silent candlelight vigil.

On what would have been Milk’s 49th birthday, Dan White received a mild manslaughter sentence of less than eight years in prison. This outcome ignited the White Night Riots, where enraged citizens stormed City Hall and rows of police cars were set ablaze. The city suffered some property damage and police officers retaliated by raiding the Castro, vandalizing queer-owned businesses and beating people on the street.

Milk's influential life and career have never been forgotten. In 2009, Harvey’s nephew Stuart Milk accepted on his uncle’s behalf Harvey’s induction into the California Hall of Fame and a Medal of Freedom from President Obama, who praised Milk’s “visionary courage and conviction”. Also in 2009, Milk’s birthday, 22 May, was designated as the annual Harvey Milk Day, and is now observed with events across the globe. He has also been the subject of numerous books, films and even an opera. The 2008 film Milk won two Oscars and is an incredible place to learn more about Milk’s life.

In the years since Milk’s assassination, public opinion has shifted on queer issues, and there have been hundreds of openly LGBTQ+ public officials in America and globally. But the work isn’t over. The Harvey Milk Foundation, established by Stuart Milk and Harvey’s 1977 campaign manager Anne Kronenberg, is dedicated to his vision of equality and authenticity for everyone, everywhere.

Milk’s unprecedented loud and unapologetic nature as an openly gay candidate and his subsequent election gave never-before-experienced hope to the queer community. It came at a time when the community was encountering widespread hostility and discrimination, and Milk’s incredible work was and still is a huge inspiration for LGBTQ+ people worldwide. It's crucially important the queer community and its allies never forget Harvey Milk, continue his work, and remember his message: “if a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.