NOTE FROM JOHN: Someone in the comments raised a fascinating point. If Harvey Milk were alive today, would he have even been invited to last month's White House cocktail party?
The White House just sent out a release naming the 16 recipients of the "Medal of Freedom" for 2009, noting:
This year’s awardees were chosen for their work as agents of change. Among their many accomplishments in fields ranging from sports and art to science and medicine to politics and public policy, these men and women have changed the world for the better. They have blazed trails and broken down barriers. They have discovered new theories, launched new initiatives, and opened minds to new possibilities.Included in the list was Harvey Milk:
Harvey MilkBillie Jean King is also an honoree. The full list is here.
Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official from a major city in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk encouraged lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens to live their lives openly and believed coming out was the only way they could change society and achieve social equality. Milk, alongside San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, was shot and killed in 1978 by Dan White, a former city supervisor. Milk is revered nationally and globally as a pioneer of the LGBT civil rights movement for his exceptional leadership and dedication to equal rights.
Harvey Milk did indeed blaze trails and break down barriers. So, another very nice gesture from the White House. I wonder if Harvey Milk would think this is enough. I don't think so.
