| Harvey Milk Day | |
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Harvey Milk Day logo
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| Observed by | West Hollywood, California ; Signal Hill, California ; California, United States; Wilton Manors, Florida |
| Date | May 22 |
| Next time | May 22, 2025 (2025-05-22) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Harvey Milk and Harvey Milk Foundation |
Harvey Milk Day is organized by the Harvey Milk Foundation and celebrated each year on May 22 in memory of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who was assassinated in 1978. Milk was a prominent gay activist during the 20th century. He ran for office three times before becoming the first openly gay person elected to California public office, where he served as a city supervisor.[1] Harvey Milk Day came about as a day to remember and teach about Milk's life and his work to stop discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.[2]
In California, Harvey Milk Day is recognized by the state's government as a day of special significance for public schools.[3][4] The day was established by the California legislature and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009. Having vetoed the legislation in 2008, Gov. Schwarzenegger was persuaded to reverse his position after a series of petitions led by gay rights activist Daren I. Ball,[5] President Barack Obama's decision to award Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the release of the award-winning feature film Milk retracing Milk's life.[6][7][8]
| Session | Short title | Bill number | Date introduced | Assembly | Senate | Governor | Status | Lead Author | Co-Authors | Sponsor | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2008 | Harvey Milk Day | AB 2567 | February 22, 2008 | Passed the Assembly 45-23 | Passed in the Senate 22-13 | Vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 30, 2008 | Died |
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Equality California (EQCA) | [9] |
| 2009-2010 | Harvey Milk Day | SB 572 | February 27, 2009 | Passed the Assembly 45-27 | Passed in the Senate 25-12 | Signed into Law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009 | Passed |
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Equality California (EQCA) | [10] |
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| Career |
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| Assassination |
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| Media and legacy |
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| Related individuals |
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| See also |
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Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
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| January |
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| January–February |
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| February American Heart Month Black History Month |
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| February–March |
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| March Irish-American Heritage Month Colon Cancer Awareness Month Women's History Month |
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| March–April |
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| April Arab American Heritage Month Confederate History Month |
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| May Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month Military Appreciation Month |
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| June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month |
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| July |
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| July–August |
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| August |
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| September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month |
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| September–October Hispanic Heritage Month |
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| October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Disability Employment Awareness Month Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month Filipino American History Month LGBT History Month |
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| October–November |
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| November Native American Indian Heritage Month |
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| December |
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| Varies (year round) |
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Legend:
(federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic grouporsexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies | |
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