Saturday, May 22nd, was Harvey Milk Day! Milk was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office. May 22nd would have been Milk's 80th birthday, but sadly in 1978, he was assassinated by fellow city supervisor Dan White. In honor of his legacy, cities across America organized rallies and marches for a variety of issues concerning federal equality including equal marriage, the passing of an inclusive Employee Non-Discrimination Act, the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and the lack of funding/closing of hospitals like St. Vincents that provide vital services to those living with HIV and AIDS.
The march in NYC started at the LGBT Center and ended at City Hall. The speakers were amazing and invigorating! Jillian Weiss, a professor at Ramapo College of New Jersey (as of a week ago, my Alma Mater!!!)and all around kick-ass activist delivered the following speech in Washington Square Park:
While this was all an amazing high, the legacy of Harvey Milk was dealt a major blow in California. The Kern High School District in Bakersfield passed a motion that banned teaching about Milk and all of his significant influence on Californian politics in the seventies and beyond. Disgusting, I know. If you're as angry as I am, you'll take the time to visit their "ContactUs" page, and send an email to their superintendent letting them know how you feel.
THIS IS WHY WE STILL NEED TO FIGHT. If you live in the NY/NJ area, please follow this link to get more information about how you can get involved in the fight for equality.
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