Jun 13, 2008  |  By: JEFF MAROOTIAN  | COMMENTS     

WITH THE RECENT excitement about the potential election of our first female or African-American president, I find myself wondering how many young people know the names of the first openly LGBT elected officials in America. High school history classes are not as kind to the LGBT civil rights movement and its leaders as they are to other social movements. As a result, not nearly enough people, gay or straight, know the meaningful story of one of the gay rights movement’s heroes, Harvey Milk.   

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time in San Francisco on the set of the film “Milk.” Likely to be the biggest gay blockbuster since “Brokeback Mountain,” “Milk” will depict a story pivotal to the lives of gay people across the country. Harvey was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 where he served for one year before being assassinated in 1978 by a fellow supervisor who had become growingly resentful of and antagonistic toward him.  

Harvey Milk rose to his call of service during a time of hopelessness and unrest for gay people. He championed issues for which few in public life would dare fight. More than just being a gay role model in the public eye, Milk worked to bring about real progress. He was the third ever openly gay elected official following in the pioneering footsteps of Kathy Kozachenko and Elaine Noble. Both of those women, who are considered courageous leaders among gay activists, have also been left out of mainstream history.

MILK LED A campaign to defeat the passage of the mean-spirited Briggs initiative in California that would have allowed the state to fire openly gay teachers, administrators and their supporters. He worked closely with his straight ally, Mayor George Moscone, to pass San Francisco’s landmark gay rights ordinance. And he became a likeable face and voice for gay rights in the public eye in the wake of potent homophobic initiatives throughout the country.

The struggle for LGBT civil rights is, in Milk’s words, “the last major dam of prejudice in this country.” It is in many respects this public prejudice that keeps his life story out of the mainstream accounts of contemporary American history. A recent Hunter College survey of LGBT persons found that an alarming majority of respondents do not know their basic federal and local rights. It seems likely that a similar study, if conducted, would show that few know about the lives and work of the gay and lesbian political leaders who helped open the door for fairness and opportunity. It is fitting that during the season of Pride celebrations all across the country that we pause to remember those who literally gave their lives in service of their local communities and the greater cause for equality.

THE FILM “MILK” will go a long way toward illustrating Harvey’s values and ideals. A recently dedicated statue of Harvey in San Francisco is also an important move toward institutionalizing his memory. Another way that his history can be preserved is through formal recognition of Harvey’s life and work by the state of California. 

Legislation is pending before the California State Senate to make Harvey Milk’s birthday, May 22, an official state holiday. The bill passed the California Assembly on May 20 by a vote of 45-23. This is an important local and national step. Citizens from all over the country can call Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and urge him to sign the bill if and when the Senate advances it to him.     

We cannot allow the history of great gay leaders, such as Harvey Milk, to be forgotten or ignored. Inclusion of the LGBT civil rights movement in the great narrative of American history is the only way that we will remember their legacy. 

Certainly there was a time when women and African Americans were left out. Recognition of Harvey Milk’s life by the state of California is an important first step. I hope that someday soon we will read about it in high school history books around the country.