California Senate Approves 'Harvey Milk Day'

rpereira — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:15:23 -0500

May 22nd will now be Harvey Milk Day in California. That is, unless Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes the idea.

The State Senate Committee approved legislation May 6 to dub the slain gay rights activist's birthday a "day of special significance". If passed, the bill would also encourage public schools to conduct "suitable commemorative exercises" to recognize Milk's contributions to California.

Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, and was a major activist for gay rights issues before he was assassinated in 1978.

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last year, but advocates for the legislation are hoping the success and attention from the 2008 movie "Milk" will help the bill survivie.

"If passed, Harvey Milk Day would not be an official holiday, and therefore would not actually cost the government money. Still, the bill faces opposition from those who say the day would endorse gay values in schools. Benjamin Lopez, a lobbyist for the Traditional Values Coalition, testified against the bill, saying its passage, "would amount in some parents' eyes to the promotion of Mr. Milk's lifestyle."

Alice Kessler, Director of Government Affaris for Equality California disagrees. "It would be similar to Cesar Chavez Day. Schools wouldn't be required to celebrate; it would be up to the teacher, " Kessler said.

Some schools in the Bay Area already celebrate Milk's birthday , such as the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in San Francisco. Sandra Leigh, the school's principal says that for their school, the bill wouldn't change anything. "We already celebrate Harvey's birthday, we sing Happy Birthday, and we talk about what he did for our state, " Leigh said. "California should definitely have a day in his honor".

Equality California has posted a petition on their website in an effort to encourage Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the legislation when it comes to his desk in the fall.

"The petition is really important because Schwarzenegger's main argument for not passing the bill last year was that Milk is only a figure local to San Francisco," Kessley said. "What we need to do is convince the governor that Milk is an important figure all over the state and world."

To sign the petition to urge Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign the legislation into law, go to this link.

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California Senate Approves 'Harvey Milk Day'