The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California's first openly gay elected official.
Using flashbacks from a statement recorded late in life and archival footage for atmosphere, this film traces Harvey Milk's career from his 40th birthday to his death. He leaves the closet and New York, opens a camera shop that becomes the salon for San Francisco's growing gay community, and organizes gays' purchasing power to build political alliances. He runs for office with lover Scott Smith as his campaign manager. Victory finally comes on the same day Dan White wins in the city's conservative district. The rest of the film sketches Milk's relationship with White and the 1978 fight against a statewide initiative to bar gays and their supporters from public school jobs.
Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Anachronisms:
When Harvey Milk, Jack Lira, and a group of people stroll down Polk Street in the San Francisco Civic Center, the Civic Center Courthouse building is in the left background. In 1978, the San Francisco Superior Court was on the fourth floor of City Hall. The Civic Center Courthouse, designed by Hood Miller Associates and Ross Drulis Architects, was built in late 1997.
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Quotes
Harvey Milk:
[First lines]
This is Harvey Milk speaking on Friday November 18th. This is to be played only in the event of my death by assassination. During one of the early campaigns, I started opening my speeches with the same line and it sort of became my signature... Hello, I'm Harvey Milk, and I'm here to recruit you. See more »
"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)"
Written by Sylvester (as Sylvester James) and James Wirrick Performed by Sylvester Courtesy of Concord Music Group, Inc.
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