Gay rights groups in NY suburbs honor Harvey Milk

[FreeState]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRmpzFjY0mNRKKtPv5Ywh9oSbFcAD97KAHKO0

NEW YORK (AP) — A network of Long Island gay and lesbian advocacy groups is honoring slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk this weekend.

Milk's nephew, Stuart Milk, will accept an award on Saturday from the Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Services Network.

Milk grew up on Long Island and graduated from high school there in the late 1940s — keeping his sexuality a well-guarded secret.

David Kilmnick, the network's executive director, says he hopes the award will draw attention to the plight of suburban gays and lesbians.

[cal04]

1. Gay group honors LI native Harvey Milk

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-limilk0418,0,4444764.story


FILE - In this June 26, 1978 file photo, then San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk is seen in San Francisco's seventh annual Gay Freedom parade. A network of Long Island gay and lesbian advocacy groups is honoring the slain gay rights activist this weekend. Milk grew up on Long Island and graduated from high school there in the late 1940s _ keeping his sexuality a well-guarded secret. (AP Photo/File) (AP / June 26, 1978)


When Harvey Milk attended high school in Bay Shore in the 1940s, and later taught math and history and coached basketball there, he kept his sexuality a well-guarded secret.

"Like most men of his generation," biographer Randy Shilts wrote in "The Mayor of Castro Street," " Milk assiduously stuck to the double life he had carefully followed since his high school days."

More than half a century later, the Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Services Network will honor the slain gay-rights activist posthumously to draw attention to gays and lesbians with small-town roots. Milk's nephew, Stuart Milk, will accept the award for his uncle on Saturday.

[FreeState]

2. But Schwarzenegger claimed its only important enough to be recognized locally!

http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=2470&MediaType=1&Category=26

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a proposed Harvey Milk Day. The measure would have set aside the birthday of the slain gay activist/politician in his memory and encourage public schools to commemorate and educate about the history of California's first openly gay politician.

Schwarzenegger's veto came on the last day possible to kill the legislation introduced by openly gay Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and passed by lawmakers.

In his veto message issued Tuesday, the governor explained his reasons for vetoing the measure.

“I respect the author's intent to designate May 22nd as 'Harvey Milk Day' and a day of special significance for California public schools and educational institutions to honor Harvey Milk as an important community leader and public official in the city and county of San Francisco. However, I believe his contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions.”