Early this month, when it looked like same-sex marriage was on the rocks in California, gay rights activists summed up their angst about the upcoming Proposition 8 vote with four wistful words: What would Harvey do?
Harvey was Harvey Milk, the late San Francisco supervisor and subject of "Milk," the film that opened this week about the pioneering gay politician assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone 30 years ago Thursday. There are parallels between the gay rights battle of Milk's time and today. Defeating a ballot measure — a ban on openly gay teachers in public schools — was the apex of Milk's short career. And now, with passage of California's ban on gay marriage, activists re-examining Milk's legacy are questioning whether an outsized political leader could have made the difference this time. Harvey Milk came from a politics of real discomfort. There was a righteous rage that was motivating him and the people he was working with. Maybe the community got too comfortable.
Harvey was Harvey Milk, the late San Francisco supervisor and subject of "Milk," the film that opened this week about the pioneering gay politician assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone 30 years ago Thursday. There are parallels between the gay rights battle of Milk's time and today. Defeating a ballot measure — a ban on openly gay teachers in public schools — was the apex of Milk's short career. And now, with passage of California's ban on gay marriage, activists re-examining Milk's legacy are questioning whether an outsized political leader could have made the difference this time. Harvey Milk came from a politics of real discomfort. There was a righteous rage that was motivating him and the people he was working with. Maybe the community got too comfortable.
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