Human Rights Campaign: Commemorating Harvey Milk Day
Today Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected into public office in California, would have celebrated his 83rd birthday.
We celebrate Harvey Milk Day, which was signed into law in 2009, by honoring his legacy and continue to keep hope alive.
His inspiring "Hope Speech," entered into the Congressional Record this morning by openly-gay Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), still serves as marching orders in the fight for equality.
“And the young gay people in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias and the Richmond, Minnesotas who are coming out and hear Anita Bryant in television and her story. The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up. And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward. It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone.”