Calif, other states prepare to observe 1st Harvey Milk Day, honoring slain gay rights icon

Calif, other states prepare to honor gay leader

SAN FRANCISCO — California and other states are gearing up to honor Harvey Milk on what would have been the 80th birthday of the slain gay rights leader.

Over the objections of some fellow Republicans, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill last year establishing May 22 as an annual holiday of sorts that simply encourages public schools to conduct commemorative activities in Milk’s honor.

Only a handful of schools are doing that Friday. But rallies, concerts and fundraisers are among the Milk Day events planned Saturday in California and 20 other states.

Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in a major U.S. city. He was serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978 when he was assassinated along with the mayor by a former colleague.