Political Career
In 1977, Milk became a strong political leader and had many connections. Known as “the Mayor of Castro Street,” he won a seat on the San Francisco City-County Board in 1978 after running and losing a total of three times. He was the city’s first openly gay official, as well as one of the country’s first openly gay elected officials. Milk’s campaign not only included gay rights, but included childcare, housing, and a civilian police review board as well.
“Proposition 6 was the California state-wide ballot initiative [proposed by John Briggs] that would have authorized the firing of any openly gay teachers or their supporters. Against all odds, Proposition 6 was defeated on November 7, 1978, highlighting Milk’s campaign based on the critical importance of ‘coming out’” (Milk: A Pictorial History of Harvey Milk, 92).
To defeat Proposition 6, Milk held a campaign to have gay citizens come out. Milk believed that people would not support the initiative because they would not vote against their gay friends and family. Milk felt that he was responsible for defeating this proposition because he understood the gay community. Proposition 6 was defeated on November 7, 1978.
In 1977, Milk became a strong political leader and had many connections. Known as “the Mayor of Castro Street,” he won a seat on the San Francisco City-County Board in 1978 after running and losing a total of three times. He was the city’s first openly gay official, as well as one of the country’s first openly gay elected officials. Milk’s campaign not only included gay rights, but included childcare, housing, and a civilian police review board as well.
“Proposition 6 was the California state-wide ballot initiative [proposed by John Briggs] that would have authorized the firing of any openly gay teachers or their supporters. Against all odds, Proposition 6 was defeated on November 7, 1978, highlighting Milk’s campaign based on the critical importance of ‘coming out’” (Milk: A Pictorial History of Harvey Milk, 92).
To defeat Proposition 6, Milk held a campaign to have gay citizens come out. Milk believed that people would not support the initiative because they would not vote against their gay friends and family. Milk felt that he was responsible for defeating this proposition because he understood the gay community. Proposition 6 was defeated on November 7, 1978.
Milk after getting elected.