Will Schwarzenegger Kill Milk Day... Again?

Riding a wave of excitement created from his Oscar win for portraying Harvey Milk, actor Sean Penn is trying to build support for a piece of California legislation that would recognize May 22, Milk’s birthday, as Harvey Milk Day. At a press conference at San Francisco's Tosca Café, Penn said "Harvey taught us the importance of standing up for what you believe in. He showed us the value of never giving up, and he proved that action creates change."

A similar bill passed by lawmakers last year sought to designate the date as a day of “special significance” which would encourage public schools and other educational institutions to hold uniquely themed programs. This differs from an official state holiday, when government offices are closed and state employees get the day off. The bill was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He stated in his veto message “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.”

Other more antagonistic critics questioned the actual scope of Milk’s contributions. In an effort to downplay his role, Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute, was quoted as calling it “a day that celebrates the history of a gay individual for being gay. That's his claim to fame.”

Supporters can now point to the success and popularity of the bio-pic Milk as a sign that Milk’s role stretched much further than San Francisco’s city border.

For some context, the movement to make the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday a national holiday began shortly after his assassination in 1968 and continued until President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983 and was first observed in 1986. The idea of recognizing King with a national holiday met with resistance similar to today’s critics of Harvey Milk Day. Senator Jesse Helms voiced concern over whether King’s contributions warranted such an honor and many, lawmakers and general public alike, questioned the cost associated with an additional holiday.

Take our poll and tell us how you think Harvey should be officially recognized.

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Comments

[tj]

Poll?

[E. Rection]

I was waiting for the gotcha and it came at the end. Harvey Milk was no Martin Luther King. Not even close.

Such a comparison belittles King's accomplishments while elevating Milk to a level he never came close to.

Was Harvey Milk an earnest man who deserves some level of recognition? Sure, who isn't! But is he an MLK? Of course not. We all know it and I don't even have to say it.

The only similarity is that they each have four letters in their last names.

[babybeauxs70115]

Harvey milk was just as great of a man as Mr.King, its time to acknowlege mr. Milks accomplishments.

[lol]

This is a joke, right? How insulting this must be to MLK, his accomplishments, and to the African-American community. Comparing those two is like comparing George W. and Obama.

[Daniel]

I think it is silly to get into a brouhaha over whether Harvey Milk is as great as MLK. People who feel that there is no comparison to MLK's impact are weighing the perceived importance that either of the individuals had on their respective movement and more generalized impact on the greater national and world scale. Its obvious that many people have animosity to African Americans and the struggle they have gone through in the civil rights movement and will jump at the opportunity to suggest that MLK be chopped down a few notches. Many non African American gay's animosity is further inflamed in the idea that some African Americans disregard the gay rights movement as a movement that is just as important as theirs. Of course that is by no means all African Americans. Mature people realize that thats no reason to over generalize and build dislike for all African Americans or their struggles. I think it is over the top that many have selected the national holiday choice in the poll. Its just a knee-jerk reaction saying if they get a national holiday then we should have one too. One day hopefully their will be someone in the gay rights movement that galvanize our members and that has a greater national and international impact but Harvey Milk is not that person. He is a soldier in the struggle who deserves to be recognized by our community and for his impact on San Francisco's political scene but not really nationally with a holiday. Whether the African American or gay communities realize it or not, a lot of the teachings of MLK applies just as equally to gays and it is because of the universal concepts on equality and tolerance that he espoused that he is celebrated.

[Sargon Bighorn]

Both were leaders in their own right. Both were brave and spoke truth to power. They are not the same person however. Both should be recognized for the contributions to Civil Equality that they made in their time and in their place. Fighting for civil equality makes every fighter a hero. Both were gunned down and yet their legacy lives on. Honor those that fight for Equality under the law. Have a Milk day just like there is a Jesus Day and an MLK day and a Presidents Day and a Mothers Day and a Fathers Day and BY GOD A DAY FOR ME TOO!

[wjbnyc]

The poll needs a spot for a national recognition day, no paid day off, but a day in remembrance.
Mr. Milk was a great man, MLK was too.

[Mike]

This is not about comparing Harvey Milk to Martin Luther King. It's about showing a little historical context on how conservative forces resist official recognition of the accomplishments of those who have worked to advance the conditions of marginalized groups.

But it's also true that Milk and King were both assassinated, cut down in their respective primes by the forces of hate and intolerance both sought to transcend; who knows what both could have accomplished if able to continue their work. And that's what this sort of thing is about: honoring those who rose as leaders, and gave their lives in support of a socially significant cause. They were ahead of their times, and went before their times.

The scope and magnitude of the accomplishments of one individual versus the other are irrelevant. What matters is that we may very well not be where we are today, sociopolitically, if not for the work of both. And when one thinks of martyrs for gay rights who achieved iconic significance, Milk has got to be one of the first to come to mind. King's is surely one of the first names to come to mind as a martyr for social justice as a whole. Comparison is not warranted, but sharing of context is.

[TheLordofWales]

While I normally have my own thoughts on these issues, I have to side with Gov Schwarzennegar.

Harvey Milk made vast leaps forward in the recognition of civil rights in the gay community.
Malcom X was a black separatist for the greater part of his career.
MLK was a humanitarian and internationalist.

We don't have Malcom X day either.

The issue is SCOPE.
Malcom X had a small scope.
Harvey Milk had a community scope.
MLK had a global & humanitarian scope.

Another way of looking at it is "If they won their battle, would there be something more to work for?"
In the case of MLK, raising human love and acceptance through peaceful demonstration is an effort that can last long after Gay acceptance has been accomplished.

I voted for a San Francisco day of recognition.

[splerk]

This article had nothing to do with MLK (Martin Luther King)except for mentioning him as in a bad comparison to someone, as he was for Civil Rights for ALL.

The question of this artcle was Penn or Scharzenegger right & will the Governator Veto the request again.

I agree with Arnold.
It would make sense at a more Local San Francisco Level.
Whether Penn submits at that level has yet to be seen & I am sure the Fine People of SF will pass it.
Afterall, Californians voted a bad actor for Governor.

Sean Penn is also correct in his statement about Harvey Milk.

And it shouldn't make a difference with the classrooms even at the state level either.... They have Gay Support/Activism at the High School level anyways even in other states.

[Mark]

Penn and Schwarzenegger are both assholes, the world is much better off not listening to either of them. There are so many Americans far greater than Milk who go without a "special day".

[Ioannis]

Karen England isn't that a country?

[spooky]

I do not think this article is attempting to compare King to Milk, that being said it is drawing a comparison to the attitudes and beliefs that African-Americans faced in America from whites during the civil rights movement to the way homosexuals in America are treated today. We live in a heterosexual society. To be gay is to be a freak. That is the general consensus here in the USA. What this article is pointing out is that however great the struggle it may be for a group of people, there will always be nay-sayers and people who are oppositional. There may be a black president now, but when will there be a gay president? 200 years maybe! And that's a big maybe.
Essentially, in this day and age if you're gay you're a second class citizen. We won't ever have a holiday in honor of some gay rights activist, whether that person be Milk or whoever. The point is that "FAGS" don't matter at all.
Trust.

[Brent]

I think that Mr. King was a great leader for his people, and I believe Mr. Milk did the same for us, whether we listened or not. The percentage of gays as opposed to the percentage of blacks shows the size of the audience, and we have to remember that the church was with Mr. King. I would much rather honor someone like Mr. Milk than I would an artist or musician. Getting the story of Mr. Milk out there seems to demonstrate how we come from all walks of life just as other segments of society do.

[VeniceScorpion]

Let's skip the MLK vs. Milk debate. I think that's obvious. But how about Karen England's comment? I am almost hoping she was misquoted. “a day that celebrates the history of a gay individual for being gay. That's his claim to fame.” Milk may be no MLK, but please don't reduce Milk to that. If in fact Ms. England was accurately quoted I think she should start spelling her first name with a "C" rather than a "K". Please, how narrow-minded can a person be?

[VeniceScorpion]

Ms. England,

I do not think a special day is warranted in Milk's honor, but to reduce his struggle, accomplishments and ultimate tragedy to, “a day that celebrates the history of a gay individual for being gay. That's his claim to fame.”, is an insult. I understand your organization supports family values. I'm not sure how you define "family", but I'll tell you this. I have no children, but I do have five nieces and nephews who I love very much and they love me. They are my family. And you know what? I am not their "Gay" uncle. They view me as their creative, funny, free spirited uncle. They admire me for having the courage and openness to freely be who I choose to be. They admire me for my accomplishments and my strengths. Your commentary on Harvey Milk is like saying Susan B. Anthony is some broad who has her head on a coin or Helen Keller was some handicapped chick whose life story made a good movie. Granted I don't think they merit a special day of recognition either, but let's recognize them for the courageous individuals they were. Perhaps you should begin to look at people for their accomplishments rather than their sexuality. We are all far more than what happens between the sheets at night. At least I know I am.

[wolf4t3]

The issue shouldn't be " is Harvey Milk worthy of a day dedicated to him" the issue should be 'is Schwarzenegger a racist"

[Steven]

oh please.

[Meehd]

Maybe we need to learn from the lessons learned from black causes and maybe there will have to be rioting in the streets in order to get anything done.

Also I'm appauled at how any black person could support discrimination for gay people considering all that they have been through to get equal rights.

[Rain City Blues]

You know, there was alot of opposition to Martin Luther King's Birthday as holiday when that was settled too. They said he was no Abraham Lincoln or George Washington, and that elevating him to that rank belittled the others. John McCain voted against MLK Day, and the state of Arizona refused to recognize it for many years, even after the rest of the country did. It seems inevitable that in America, change only comes with much resistance, which slowly fades away over time.

Of course there will be opposition to Harvey Milk Day. This does not diminish its importance or value.

[joym]

he was a leader for equal rights just like mlk so why not have a holiday around the world for milk.

[Lee]

While Harvey Milk was a local activist, I wonder, if he hadn't been assasinated would he have stayed as only a local gay activisit or "spread his wings" to become a national gay activist"? Sadly, we will never know that, but we do know he started something that has grown into a national gay activisim. Without a doubt, if Harvey Milk was still alive, I am sure he would have gone onto to be a national "scene". Without a doubt, I am sure he would have gone from being a SF Supervisor to be a Congressman or a higher post in the National Gov't.

But Alais, we shall never know, but one thing is sure, even in his death, he brought national recognition and dialogue about gay/lesbian/transgender issues! He should be aleast given that recognition!

[nicocoer]

Don't think that Milk's any MLK, but a state level holiday would be appropriate.

[Don]

If we are going to have a day to honor the gay rights movement, I think a Stonewall Day would be far more appropriate than a Harvey Milk Day. Even to this day, I don't think Milk had that much of an effect outside of San Francisco.

[SamCR]

tj...NO
the similarity is that both fought for minorities...GET A CLUE!
what have u done?
I VOTE FOR HARVEY MILK DAY!!!

[Bond]

I voted for special recognition by San Francisco. Harvey is a good symbol for LGBT activism, but the movement is about so much more. A commemorative day needs to be one that relates to a bigger audience. When it comes to a national LGBT day of celebration, I'd prefer something commemorative like the 1969 Stonewall Riots in NYC.