Thursday, May 21, 2009

California advances Harvey Milk Day honour

The California Senate has approved legislation that would designate a day each year to honour slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk. The bill by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, would designate each May 22—Milk's birthday—as a "day of special significance" to recognize the late San Francisco supervisor's contributions to the state.

It would not be an official holiday so there would be no cost to state government. The bill encourages but doesn't require schools to teach about Milk's legacy.
Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in California. He was assassinated in 1978.

The measure passed, 24-14, with one Republican vote. It now heads to the Assembly.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a nearly identical bill last year.

...and the UK Paul Patrick
May 22nd is also the anniversary of the death of Schools OUT and LGBT History Month co-founder Paul Patrick. To remind ourselve of his contribution to education and equality we are re-opening his memorial page.

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