This week’s photograph is of the iconic Harvey Milk, currently on display at the newly re-opened Smithsonian National Portrat Gallery (@smithsoniannpg) in its “Struggle for Justice” exhibition, in Washington, DC USA
This weekend is also 2020’s National Coming Out Day. How wonderful is it that visitors to the newly re-opened American instition in our nation’s capital get to enjoy his leadership which continues to this day. How do I know? just look around….
Born Woodmere, Long Island, New York
Having run for office in 1973, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official in a major American city with his 1977 election to the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco, California. Milk had remained closeted when serving in the Navy during the Korean War and while working in the financial industry in New York City. He publically embraced his homosexuality after settling in San Francisco in 1972 and opening a camera shop in the Castro District—the city’s growing gay enclave.Outspoken and determined, Milk soon emerged as a leading activist in California’s gay rights movement. In 1978, he spearheaded the successful drive to defeat Proposition 6—a statewide initiative that would have banned gays and lesbians from working in California’s public schools. On November 27, 1978, a gay rights opponent assassinated Harvey Milk and San Francisco mayor George Moscone in their City Hall offices.The Struggle for Justice, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC USA
Mr. Milk is in the Smithsonian. His assassin lost and forgotten. Love always wins.
Additional photos from the exhibit are below, enjoy.