Harvey Milk Foundation Recognizes Equality Champions on Second Annual Harvey Milk Day

SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Harvey Milk Foundation, established to promote and uphold Harvey Milk's pioneering legacy through education and outreach, is pleased to announce the second annual Harvey Milk Day holiday on Sunday, May 22,  which is officially recognized by the State of California and celebrated worldwide.

"The Harvey Milk Foundation asks that Harvey's birthday be used to recognize and reward equality champions," said Stuart Milk, leader and founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation and nephew of Harvey Milk.  "Such champions include President Barack Obama, who has taken unprecedented opportunity to ensure LGBT inclusion in national and international affairs and to our tireless advocate, and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, whose steadfast support has led to strong legislative victories for all underserved and marginalized communities."

In 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law SB 572, designating every May 22 as Harvey Milk Day. SB 572 was authored by State Senator Mark Leno and sponsored by Equality California (EQCA). May 22, 2010 marked the very first Harvey Milk Day in history and the official launch of the Harvey Milk Foundation.

"The Foundation set out one year ago to reach around the globe in the belief that Harvey Milk Day can give hope to anyone who has ever felt different,  felt like they did not belong, or not feeling welcome because of who they are," said Milk.

In hopes that other states will follow California's lead by establishing May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, the Harvey Milk Foundation has developed a new online campaign to track events honoring Harvey Milk's legacy on www.HarveyMilkDay.co.

The Foundation has organized many celebrations in Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco to commemorate Harvey Milk Day. Harvey Milk Day 2011 sponsors: dot429.com; VSP Vision Care, the California Biotechnology Foundation; Equality California (EQCA); The California Museum; and many more.

The Foundation was established in 2010 as a non-profit charitable organization to promote Harvey Milk's legacy through education and outreach. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was assassinated in San Francisco's City Hall in November 1978. The Foundation is led and founded by Harvey's nephew, Stuart Milk, and Anne Kronenberg, Harvey's campaign manager and political aide.

SOURCE The Harvey Milk Foundation