Harvey Milk - Civil Rights Activists, Timeline and Family
Harvey Milk's Personal Details
Harvey Milk was America’s first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | May 22, 1930 |
| Died on | November 27, 1978 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Gays, Civil Rights Activists, Leaders, Political Leaders |
| Siblings | Robert Milk |
| Known as | Harvey Bernard Milk |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Cause of death |
|
| Birth Place | Woodmere |
| Political Ideology | Democratic |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | William Milk |
| Mother | Minerva Karns Milk |
| Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Born in | Woodmere |
| Died at Age | 48 |
// Famous Civil Rights Activists
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer who became the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, boxing career, achievements & timeline.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks, also known as ‘the first lady of civil rights’ and ‘the mother of the freedom movement’, was a famous African-American civil rights activist. This biography profiles her childhood, life, career, works, achievements and timeline.
Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a renowned African-American Sunni Muslim civil rights activist. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline
Harvey Milk's photo
Who is Harvey Milk?
America’s first openly gay politician, Harvey Bernard Milk was an icon for the gay community in the United States and a champion of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement. Basically a native of New York, he moved to San Francisco during a mass migration of gay men to the city. The environment in San Francisco was more encouraging towards the gay rights movement and he began to actively participate in local politics. During his initial years he had kept his sexual orientation a secret but later came out of the closet as he realized that he would be able to do more for the LGBT community as an openly gay politician. After running unsuccessfully for political office three times he was finally elected as a city supervisor. His selection made national headlines in the country as it was the first time an openly gay candidate had been elected. Upon occupying the office, one of the first initiatives he took was to sponsor a civil rights bill that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation—this was a very significant step in furthering the civil rights of the LGBT community. He became a very popular politician due to his concern for the people. Unfortunately he was assassinated after serving just 11 months in office.
// Famous Gays
Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.
Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century. This biography of Tennessee Williams provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works and timeline.
Leo Varadkar
Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Childhood & Early Life
He was the son of Jewish parents William Milk and Minerva Karns. His family owned a departmental store.
He attended the Bay Shore High School and graduated in 1947. He played football and developed an interest in opera while there. He realized that he was homosexual but kept this a secret; no one at his school or college suspected his sexual orientation.
He enrolled at New York State College for Teachers in 1947 and graduated in 1951 with a major in mathematics. He was a friendly and extroverted student who was liked by all.
Career
He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was discharged from the Navy in 1955 at the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.
He took up a teaching job at George W. Hewlett High School. Dissatisfied with his career, he tried his hand at several other jobs, including stints as a stock analyst and a Wall Street investment banker.
He moved to San Francisco with his partner, Scott Smith, in 1972. San Francisco had the largest population of gays during that time. They opened a camera store called Castro Camera. Milk was a caring individual and became well-known within his neighborhood. He had a keen interest in solving people’s problems and thus decided to enter politics.
He ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1973 and lost due to lack of experience. He again declared his candidacy in 1974 and again lost—but by this he had become a more popular political force and had the public’s support.
Due to his popularity in the neighborhood, he was affectionately called the ‘Mayor of Castro Street’. In 1977 he finally won a seat on the San Francisco City-County Board and was inaugurated in January 1978 — becoming the first openly gay individual to be elected to office in the United States.
One of the first steps he took was to sponsor a civil rights bill that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation. This was met with enthusiasm and good cheer by the majority of the public, especially the LGBT community. Only one of his colleagues, Supervisor Dan White was opposed to this as he believed it led to the breakdown of traditional norms.
He encouraged the LGBT individuals to come out and participate in political activities. He believed that visibility was necessary to garner support for the LGBT civil rights movement and to sensitize the general public about the unique issues faced by gays.
He also focused on solving another big problem faced by the community, that of dog excrement left by the pet dogs in the pavements. He worked on a city ordinance that required pet owners to scoop their pets’ excrements.
He was concerned not just about the welfare of the LGBT community, but about all the sections of the society. He took steps to promote lesser expensive child care, free public transportation and the development of a board of civilians to oversee the police.
Major Works
As a Supervisor he passed a gay rights ordinance and defeated the Briggs Initiative which would have banned members of the LGBT community from working in public schools. He was a gay icon and leader of the LGBT civil rights movement who set the precedent for several of the gay rights leaders today.
Awards & Achievements
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest civilian award of the United States—posthumously in 2009 for his contribution to the gay rights movement.
Personal Life & Legacy
He realized during his adolescence that he was gay. He had been in relationships with many men including Craig Rodwell, Joe Campbell, and Scott Smith.
One of his detractors in politics was his colleague, Dan White who was also a Supervisor. He was bitterly opposed to Milk’s policies and activities and shot him dead on November 27, 1978.
Milk was a cultural icon and several books, plays, and films have been based on his life.
// Famous Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee clan. This biography profiles his childhood, life and timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Harvey Milk's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 2009 - Presidential Medal of Freedom | |
Harvey Milk biography timelines
- // 22nd May 1930He was the son of Jewish parents William Milk and Minerva Karns. His family owned a departmental store.
- // 1947He attended the Bay Shore High School and graduated in 1947. He played football and developed an interest in opera while there. He realized that he was homosexual but kept this a secret; no one at his school or college suspected his sexual orientation.
- // 1947 To 1951He enrolled at New York State College for Teachers in 1947 and graduated in 1951 with a major in mathematics. He was a friendly and extroverted student who was liked by all.
- // 1972He moved to San Francisco with his partner, Scott Smith, in 1972. San Francisco had the largest population of gays during that time. They opened a camera store called Castro Camera. Milk was a caring individual and became well-known within his neighborhood. He had a keen interest in solving people’s problems and thus decided to enter politics.
- // 1973He ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1973 and lost due to lack of experience. He again declared his candidacy in 1974 and again lost—but by this he had become a more popular political force and had the public’s support.
- // 1977 To 1978Due to his popularity in the neighborhood, he was affectionately called the ‘Mayor of Castro Street’. In 1977 he finally won a seat on the San Francisco City-County Board and was inaugurated in January 1978 — becoming the first openly gay individual to be elected to office in the United States.
- // 27th Nov 1978One of his detractors in politics was his colleague, Dan White who was also a Supervisor. He was bitterly opposed to Milk’s policies and activities and shot him dead on November 27, 1978.
// Famous Political Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Leo Varadkar
Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Strom Thurmond
Strom Thurmond was an American politician, who represented the state of South Carolina in the United States senate for 48 years.
Solon
Solon was an Athenian lawmaker, poet and politician. He is considered as one of the ‘Seven Wise Men’ in Greek culture. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, career, works, achievements and timeline.
Mohammed bin Salman
Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the heir apparent to the throne. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about him.
Harvey Milk's FAQ
What is Harvey Milk birthday?
Harvey Milk was born at 1930-05-22
When was Harvey Milk died?
Harvey Milk was died at 1978-11-27
Where was Harvey Milk died?
Harvey Milk was died in San Francisco City Hall
Which age was Harvey Milk died?
Harvey Milk was died at age 48
Where is Harvey Milk's birth place?
Harvey Milk was born in Woodmere
What is Harvey Milk nationalities?
Harvey Milk's nationalities is American
Who is Harvey Milk siblings?
Harvey Milk's siblings is Robert Milk
What was Harvey Milk universities?
Harvey Milk studied at University at Albany, The State University of New York (1947–1951), Bay Shore High School (1947), Bay Shore High School
Which company or organization was founded by Harvey Milk?
Harvey Milk was the founder/co-founder of San Francisco Gay Democratic Club
What is Harvey Milk's cause of dead?
Harvey Milk dead because of Assassination
What is Harvey Milk's political ideology?
Harvey Milk's political ideology is Democratic
What is Harvey Milk's religion?
Harvey Milk's religion is Judaism
Who is Harvey Milk's father?
Harvey Milk's father is William Milk
Who is Harvey Milk's mother?
Harvey Milk's mother is Minerva Karns Milk
What is Harvey Milk's sun sign?
Harvey Milk is Gemini