Thirty Years after Milk assassination, we need to further his vision

By Akilah Bolden-Monifa
On the 30th anniversary of Harvey Milk's assassination, we need to make good on the promise of equality that he died for.

Born in New York, Milk moved to San Francisco when he was 40 and quickly became a community activist. He dubbed himself the "Mayor of Castro Street," and he and other gay folks were abused by the police.

So he started organizing and then ran for political office unsuccessfully three times. The fourth time in 1977 he won a seat on the board of supervisors in San Francisco.

He became the first openly gay man to be elected to a public office in the United States.

Ironically, Dan White, his assassin, won a seat at the same time.

Back then, anti-gay sentiment was rampant. Anita Bryant was in her prime in Florida, campaigning luridly against civil rights for gays and lesbians. There was even a ballot initiative in California to get rid of gay and lesbian teachers.

Milk helped defeat the initiative and went on to get the city of San Francisco to pass an ordinance ensuring that gays and lesbians have equal rights.

Less than one month later, on November 27, 1978, he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Dan White.

Milk would have been outraged that California voters just passed a ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage. This was a huge blow for gay and lesbian civil rights. And it was a personal affront to the 18,000 folks (including this author) who were able to enjoy the right to same-sex marriage in the four months prior to the November election.

Milk properly equated gay and lesbian rights with other civil rights. And he saw the recognition of all these rights as part of the American tradition of equality and fairness.

We need to recall his courage and his vision. Fortunately, the just-released movie "Milk," starring Sean Penn, should help us do so.

Harvey Milk inspired hope.

We needed it 30 years ago.

And we need it today if we are to achieve full civil rights for all.