Harvey Milk
San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Marker Inscription
Harvey Milk May 22, 1930 - November 27, 1978 Harvey Milk made history as the first openly-gay elected official in California, and one of the first in the nation, when he won election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in November 1977. His camera store and campaign headquarters at 575 Castro Street and his apartment upstairs were centers of community activism for a wide range of human rights, environmental, labor and neighborhood issues. Harvey Milk's hard work and accomplishments on behalf of all San Franciscans earned him widespread respect and support. His life is an inspiration to all people committed to equal opportunity and an end to bigotry. "You gotta give 'em hope!"
The Story
Harvey Milk made history in November 1977 as the first openly gay person elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and one of the first in the nation. His camera store and campaign headquarters at 575 Castro Street, with his apartment upstairs, became a hub of activism for human rights, labor, environmental, and neighborhood causes. His work on behalf of all San Franciscans earned broad respect before his life was cut short in 1978.
Why it matters
Milk's election and legacy stand as a landmark in the American civil rights story, inspiring generations committed to equal opportunity and an end to bigotry.
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Nearby & related markers
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This plaza honors Harvey Milk, who in 1977 became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States when he won a seat on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors. From his Castro Camera store he built a neighborhood movement, earning the nickname "the Mayor of Castro Street" and authoring the city's Gay Rights Ordinance while championing renters, seniors, and working people. His assassination alongside Mayor George Moscone in November 1978 brought 40,000 mourners into the streets in a candlelight march. The plaza was dedicated in his memory in 1985.
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