First Harvey Milk Day

May 22, 2010 by Pastor Dan.

Today is the first official observance of Harvey Milk Day in California.  Below is the press release from the Mayor’s Office.—Pastor Dan Hooper

MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA HONORS HARVEY MILK WITH FIRST ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE IN HIS HONOR: Commemorates the Late Activist for Work Building Coalitions, Breaking Down Barriers; Asks Angelenos to Serve Their Own Communities

LOS ANGELES – On the eve of the first annual Harvey Milk Day of Service, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa honored the late activist for his public service, unwavering championship of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues (LGBT), and dedication to social change across a wide-range of issues including education, low-income housing, and public transportation. In anticipation of tomorrow’s day of service in Milk’s honor, Mayor Villaraigosa today met with a coalition of LGBT community leaders and activists, including Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk), Equality California Marriage Director Marc Solomon, and Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles and President of the Board, California Faith for Equality.

“Harvey Milk had the courage to stand up, live his life openly, and challenge people to judge him first on his ability to get the job done,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “What he accomplished in his few years in public office remains nothing short of extraordinary, and tomorrow I encourage all Angelenos to celebrate his life and legacy by giving back to their own communities.”

“All of the Abrahamic faiths teach us that it is our responsibility to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God,” Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas said. “Let us commit ourselves to follow Milk’s example and do all in our power to make hope a reality for all our oppressed brothers and sisters in this world.”

“Harvey Milk believed in the power of personal stories to change hearts and minds,” said Equality California Marriage Director Marc Solomon. “That’s why we call on all those who stand for equality to join us on Saturday—the first-ever Harvey Milk Day of Recognition—as we take to the streets and engage Californians in personal conversations about why LGBT people deserve the freedom to marry.”

To commemorate the first annual Harvey Milk Day in California, community and LGBT organizations from across Los Angeles will join together tomorrow, May 22, for a day of service and action to honor Milk and his legacy. Projects include a community garden clean-up,

neighborhood canvasses, and a “Coming Out” rally.

Throughout his life, Milk worked to find common ground with others and demonstrate the positive effect that this had on the greater community. He initiated programs that benefited underserved and minority communities, workers and the elderly. He was also the driving force

behind the passage of a gay rights law that prohibited discrimination and/or unequal treatment on the basis of sexual orientation in housing and employment.

“At a time when the forces of hatred and bigotry caused many to live their personal lives in secret, and far too many Americans feared for their safety and even their lives if they let the world see their true selves, Harvey Milk inspired people to work for social change,” Villaraigosa said. “He was a true pioneer whose message of love and acceptance should never be forgotten.”

Mayor Villaraigosa, in partnership with Councilwoman Jan Perry, Gay for Good, LA Neighborhood Land Trust and the LA Garden Council, will be holding a day of service by helping to clean-up and rebuild the Vermont Square Community Garden with other community stakeholders.

To ensure Harvey Milk’s legacy of community engagement and service lives on, Mayor Villaraigosa pledged to hold a day of service every year to commemorate Harvey Milk and urged the LGBT leaders and organizations present, as well as his fellow Angelenos, to join him in giving back each year on this day. In 2008, the California State Legislature and Governor designated May 22 as Harvey Milk Day in the State of California. In 2009, President Obama posthumously awarded Milk a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

There are lots of Google hits on Harvey Milk Day.  Thanks especially to GSAAragon a.k.a. Jason for posting his lively youtube coming out clip — the “big surprise” in it is not his coming out, though. You will get a kick out of it.

Posted in LGBT Rights, Public Affairs | Print | No Comments »