Presentation about Harvey Milk

1. Harvey Milk
May 22, 1930-November 27, 1978
“If a bullet should enter my brain,
let that bullet destroy every closet door”

2. Early Life
• Born and raised in Woodmere, New York
• Small, middle-classed Jewish family
• Played football and sang in the opera at Bay Shore High School
• Graduated from New York State college in 1951, then joined Navy for
about 4 years
• Worked several jobs including a school teacher, production associate
for many high-profile Broadway musicals, stock analyst and Wall
Street investment banker
Always knew he wanted to do something more with his life.

3. Contributions and Achievements
• One of the first openly gay men elected to office
• Ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1975 and won
• Passed a gay rights ordinance, allowing gay men and women to teach
in public schools
• Encouraged LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people in
his community to speak out
• Helped many individuals he knew on a personal level

4. Why did he want to make these changes?
• Wanted to pave the way for civil rights of the LGBT community
• Felt he should show that anyone can get involved and make a
difference
• Had a goal to live his life openly and honestly, and to inspire others to
do the same
• Wanted to change the stereotypes that existed about gays and
promote a legal framework that supports gays

5. How did he made the changes he did?
• Even after losing the election twice, he continued to run for board of
supervisors
• Made an effort to get to know the people of his community on a
personal level and encourage them
• Also encouraged people he didn’t know, by setting examples after he
won his election
• Continued to live the 100% honest life he had always wanted to

6. Why is what he did important?
• He inspired many people in the one year he was in office, and
continues to inspire people of the LBGT community today
• Prevented multiple acts from being passed that limited gays’ rights
and privileges
• Encouraged many protesters to do so peacefully and nonviolently,
that still do so today
• Inspired many to make a change in their community or even around
the world

7. What do I want to change in my society?
I want to change the fact that people believe some less worthy of rights
than others. Whether this applies to men and women, gays and
straights or any other kind of unfairness seen today. I want everyone to
be seen and treated as equals, no matter the cost.

8. How will I do this?
I will do this by following the Harvey Milk’s footsteps. He spread the
idea that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can
make a change while still being peaceful and respectful. By starting
small, within you community and then branching out. By using your
resources, whether that is who you know or what you have. But by not
giving up no matter what obstacles you come to.

9. “Hope will never be silent.”-Harvey Milk

10. Sources
• http://www.biography.com/people/harvey-milk-9408170#new-life-in-san-
francisco
• http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/HarveyMilkDay/Biography.html
• http://www.noh8campaign.com/article/harvey-milks-legacy-of-hope
• https://tavaana.org/en/content/bringing-people-hope-harvey-milk-and-
gay-rights-movement-america-0