Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk’s tenacious commitment to civil and human rights earned him a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, making him the first openly gay elected official in the United States. His approach to serving his community included support for working mothers, a focus on affordable housing, tax reform, and an increased commitment to providing quality public services like libraries and education. He was an effective, powerful leader and a fierce advocate for marginalized communities. Sadly, Milk’s leadership also made him the target of a disgruntled city supervisor who murdered both Milk and Mayor George Moscone in 1978. Though his life was cut short just a year after taking office, his legacy changed the world forever and showed the world what LGBTQ+ leadership could accomplish.