Early Life
Harvey Milk was born on May 22, 1930, in Woodmere, New York. He graduated from Bayshore High School in 1951 where he played football, sang opera, and was liked by many. From high school on, Milk knew he was gay, but never commented on his sexuality.
Milk joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a diving instructor at a San Diego base during the Korean War. After discharge in 1955, he moved to New York, holding a variety of jobs such as teaching and finance. Milk made friends with gay men who visited Greenwich Village.
In late 1972, Milk moved to San Francisco, California. He opened a camera shop called Castro Camera on Castro Street, putting himself and his work into the heart of the city’s gay community. As Milk’s camera shop became increasingly popular, he started speaking as a leader and activist in the middle of a gay rights movement. At an early age, Milk began lobbying for gay rights. He believed equality for San Francisco's gay community was essential, and he felt it was his responsibility to advocate for his and others' views.
Harvey Milk was born on May 22, 1930, in Woodmere, New York. He graduated from Bayshore High School in 1951 where he played football, sang opera, and was liked by many. From high school on, Milk knew he was gay, but never commented on his sexuality.
Milk joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a diving instructor at a San Diego base during the Korean War. After discharge in 1955, he moved to New York, holding a variety of jobs such as teaching and finance. Milk made friends with gay men who visited Greenwich Village.
In late 1972, Milk moved to San Francisco, California. He opened a camera shop called Castro Camera on Castro Street, putting himself and his work into the heart of the city’s gay community. As Milk’s camera shop became increasingly popular, he started speaking as a leader and activist in the middle of a gay rights movement. At an early age, Milk began lobbying for gay rights. He believed equality for San Francisco's gay community was essential, and he felt it was his responsibility to advocate for his and others' views.