Harvey Milk Day is organized by the Harvey Milk Foundation and celebrated each year on May 22, especially in California, in memory of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who was assassinated in 1978. Milk was a prominent gay activist during the 20th century. He ran for office three times before becoming the first openly gay person elected to California public office, where he served as a San Francisco city supervisor. Harvey Milk Day came about as a day to remember and teach about Milk's life and his work to stop discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.

California Day of Special Significance In California, Harvey Milk Day is recognized by the state's government as a day of special significance for public schools.Kristin Weigle, Harvey Milk Day: Chapter 626 Gives a Controversial Figure's Birthday Special Significance for California Public Schools, 41 McGeorge Law Review 558 (2010) The day was established by the California legislature and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009. Having vetoed the legislation in 2008, Gov. Schwarzenegger was persuaded to reverse his position after a series of petitions led by gay rights activist Daren I. Ball, President Barack Obama's decision to award Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the release of the award-winning feature film Milk retracing Milk's life.

Legislative history Session Short title Bill number Date introduced Assembly Senate Governor Status Lead Author Co-Authors Sponsor References 2007-2008 Harvey Milk Day AB 2567 February 22, 2008 Passed the Assembly 45-23 Passed in the Senate 22-13 Vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 30, 2008 Died Assembly Member Mark Leno Senators Christine Kehoe, Sheila Kuehl, and Carole Migden Assembly Member John Laird Speaker Fabian Núñez Equality California (EQCA) 2009-2010 Harvey Milk Day SB 572 February 27, 2009 Passed the Assembly 45-27 Passed in the Senate 25-12 Signed into Law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009 Passed Senator Mark Leno Senator Christine Kehoe Assembly Members Tom Ammiano and John A. Pérez Equality California (EQCA)

See also

Public holidays in the United States

References

External links Harvey Milk Foundation Official Harvey Milk Day Website