Harvey Milk

Guide Note

Harvey Milk, the self-described "Mayor of Castro Street," was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States. Milk was appointed San Francisco's City Supervisor in 1977.

Milk, along with then Mayor George Moscone, was assassinated on November 27, 1978 by the recently-resigned City Supervisor Dan White.

Milk's political life is the subject of Gus Van Sant's 2008 film Milk starring actor Sean Penn as Milk.

Fast Facts

1. Born: May 22, 1930
2. Assassinated: November 27, 1978
3. Birthplace: Woodmere, NY
4. Political party: Democrat
5. Religion: Jewish
6. Alma mater: University of Albany
7. In office: January 8, 1978-November 27, 1978
8. Biography: The Mayor of Castro Street by Randy Shilts
9. Documentary: The Times of Harvey Milk
10. Biographical film projects: Milk directed by Gus Van Sant, The Mayor of Castro Street directed by Bryan Singer

1. "Hope will never be silent."
2. "If a bullet should go through my head let that bullet go through every closet door."
3. "All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential."
4. "More people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason. That, my friends, that is true perversion."