Talk:Harvey Milk/Legacy summary

Milk's assassination has become entwined with his political efficacy, partly because he was killed at the zenith of his popularity.

Harvey Milk's political career centered on making government responsive to individuals, gay liberation, and the importance of neighborhoods to the city. His political philosophy evolved over several campaigns; although he never hid the fact that he was gay, it did not become an issue until his race for the California State Assembly in 1976, where it became prominent as extension of his ideas of individual freedom. Through all his campaigns, Milk believed that neighborhoods promoted unity and a small-town experience, and that the Castro should provide services to all its residents. In the last year of his life, Milk emphasized that gay people should be more visible to help to end the discrimination and violence against them.

The City of San Francisco has paid tribute to Milk by naming several locations after him. The Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center is headquarters for the drama and performing arts programs for the city's youth. (Duboce Park and Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center, San Francisco Neighborhood Parks Council, 2008. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.) Douglass Elementary in the Castro District was renamed the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in 1996 (Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy: Our History, Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy website. Retrieved September 8, 2008.) and the Eureka Valley Branch of the San Francisco Public Library was also renamed in his honor in 1981. It is located at 1 José Sarria Court, named for the first openly gay man to run for public office in the United States. (Eureka Valley Branch Closing for Renovation March 1, San Francisco Public Library website [February 8, 2008]. Retrieved September 25, 2008.) On what would have been Milk's 78th birthday, a bust of his likeness was unveiled in San Francisco City Hall at the top of the grand staircase. (Buchanan, Wyatt (May 22, 2008). "S.F. prepares to unveil bust of Harvey Milk", San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved on September 8, 2008.) In May 2008, the State Assembly of California voted to mark Harvey Milk's birthday in a gesture proposed by Assemblyman Mark Leno, who said he "hopes the date will memorialize Milk and motivate people to learn about and celebrate his legacy". ("Calif. Assembly passes bill marking Harvey Milk's birthday", The San Francisco Chronicle, May 19, 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2008.) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, however, vetoed the bill, stating that Milk's "contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level". (California governor vetoes Harvey Milk bill Associated Press (September 30, 2008). Retrieved October 1, 2008.) The San Francisco Gay Democratic Club changed its name to the Harvey Milk Memorial Gay Democratic Club in 1978 and boasts that it is the largest Democratic organization in San Francisco.

In New York City, Harvey Milk High School is a school program for at-risk youth that concentrates on the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students and operates out of the Hetrick Martin Institute. Randy Shilts completed a biography of Milk in 1982 titled The Mayor of Castro Street and The Times of Harvey Milk, a documentary film based on the book's material, won the 1984 Academy Award for Documentary Feature. A musical theater production titled The Harvey Milk Show premiered in 1991. Harvey Milk, an opera written by Stewart Wallace debuted in 1996. In 2008 a biopic named Milk was released and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Milk was included in the "Time 100 Heroes and Icons of the 20th Century" as "a symbol of what gays can accomplish and the dangers they face in doing so". The Advocate listed Milk third in their "40 Heroes" of the 20th century issue