Happy Harvey Milk Day
It is indeed sad that Harvey Milk became a victim of the bigotry and insanity that still remains a real threat to members of the LBGT community. But there is good reason to celebrate his life. He was and is a role model for many young LGBT people. He showed us all that nothing can stop a person of character from realizing their dreams.
Harvey Milk
“I cannot prevent anyone from getting angry, or mad, or frustrated. I can only hope that they’ll turn that anger and frustration and madness into something positive, so that two, three, four, five hundred will step forward, so the gay doctors will come out, the gay lawyers, the gay judges, gay bankers, gay architects … I hope that every professional gay will say ‘enough’, come forward and tell everybody, wear a sign, let the world know. Maybe that will help.” Harvey Milk, 1978
“I fully realize that a person who stands for what I stand for, an activist, a gay activist, becomes the target or the potential target for a person who is insecure, terrified, afraid, or very disturbed with themselves.”
“It’s not my victory, it’s yours and yours and yours. If a gay can win, it means there is hope that the system can work for all minorities if we fight. We’ve given them hope.”
And perhaps the statement of his I love the most:
“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.”
If you’re a member of the LGBT community, celebrate today be being yourself, openly and honestly. Peace, love and long life to all my brothers and sisters.
(Thanks to Queer Vision for the quotes)