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'''Harvey Bernard Milk''' (May 22, 1930 – November 27, 1978) was a [[Progressive]] American [[politician]], and the first openly homosexual man to be elected to public office in [[California]].  He was elected to the [[San Francisco]] Board of Supervisors with the help and endorsement of the [[Peoples Temple]]. Milk wrote a letter in support of the Temple's founder to [[President Jimmy Carter]],  defending the Rev. [[Jim Jones]] "as a man of the highest character," and stating that Temple critics were trying to "damage Rev. Jones' reputation" with "apparent bold-faced lies".<ref>Milk, Harvey [http://www.brasscheck.com/jonestown/milk.jpg ''Letter Addressed to President Jimmy Carter, Dated February 19, 1978''] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybbC0i4?url=http://www.brasscheck.com/jonestown/milk.jpg |date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref>

'''Harvey Bernard Milk''' (May 22, 1930 – November 27, 1978) was a [[Progressive]] American [[politician]], and the first openly homosexual man to be elected to public office in [[California]].  He was elected to the [[San Francisco]] Board of Supervisors with the help and endorsement of the [[Peoples Temple]].  

Milk's biggest victory was the month of his death. He was instrumental in the defeat of The Briggs Initiative that would have barred open homosexuals from teaching positions in his district. Although public opinion polls predicted its passage, he was able to mobilize enough people to vote no. Then-governor [[Ronald Reagan]] publicly opposed the Proposition which progressives used to enable its defeat.  

Milk and Gov. [[Jerry Brown]] spoke at several People's Temple events.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,919893-1,00.html "Another Day of Death."] ''Time Magazine''. 11 December 1978  {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybWre0B?url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,919893-1,00.html |date=24 January 2011 }}</ref>.<ref>Johnson, Tom, "Politicians Try to Explain Ties To Jones, Washington Star Ledger (Time-Life News Service), November 23, 1978</ref>

 

Milk was enthusiastically received at the Temple, and he always sent glowing thank-you notes to Jones after visits. Milk ally Richard Boyle recalls "[b]oth Milk and I spoke at the temple to the cheers of thousands of Jones' followers and won their support." <ref>Boyle, Richard David, [http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_11257530 ''Local writer tells inside story of "Milk"''], Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, December 17, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybY8AXh?url=http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_11257530 |date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref> Boyle explained that it was vital for both his campaign and Milk's that they be received well at the Temple "because Jones was not only Moscone's appointed head of the Housing Authority but also could turn out an army of volunteers."

 

Following one visit, Milk wrote to Jones: "Rev Jim, It may take me many a day to come back down from the high that I reach today. I found something dear today. I found a sense of being that makes up for all the hours and energy placed in a fight. I found what you wanted me to find. I shall be back. For I can never leave."<ref>VanDeCarr, Paul "Death of dreams: in November 1978, Harvey Milk's murder and the mass suicides at Jonestown nearly broke San Francisco's spirit.", The Advocate, November 25, 2003</ref><ref>Sawyer, Mary [http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=16594 ''My Lord, What a Mourning:’ Twenty Years Since Jonestown''], Jonestown Institute at SDSU {{webarchive |url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vybZ6bzy?url=http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/Articles/sawyer.htm |date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref>

 

In a hand-written note, Milk wrote to Jones "my name is cut into stone in support of you - and your people."

On November 27, 1978, nine days after the [[Jonestown Massacre]], Milk and Mayor George Moscone were shot and killed by [[Dan White]], a disgruntled, [[Democratic]] former Supervisor.

On November 27, 1978, nine days after the [[Jonestown Massacre]], Milk and Mayor George Moscone were shot and killed by [[Dan White]], a disgruntled, [[Democratic]] former Supervisor.

At his trial, Dan White's [[lawyers]] insisted that his [[Diminished Responsibility|judgment had been impaired]] by [[depression]] caused by a poor diet.  This argument (dubbed the "[[twinkies|twinkie]] defense" by the media) led to a lenient sentence, provoking rioting and protests within San Francisco's homosexual community.

At his trial, Dan White's [[lawyers]] insisted that his [[Diminished Responsibility|judgment had been impaired]] by [[depression]] caused by a poor diet.  This argument (dubbed the "[[twinkies|twinkie]] defense" by the media) led to a lenient sentence, provoking rioting and protests within San Francisco's homosexual community.

May 22 is designated Harvey Milk day by the state of California. The U.S. Postal Service has created a stamp in his honor.

Milk's biggest victory was the month of his death. He was instrumental in the defeat of The Briggs Initiative that would have barred open homosexuals from teaching positions in his district. Although public opinion polls predicted its passage, he was able to mobilize enough people to vote no. Then-governor [[Ronald Reagan]] publicly opposed the Proposition which progressives used to enable its defeat.  

==Sexual Predator==

==Sexual Predator==

Milk was working to help at-risk youths. At age 33, he sodomized a 16-year-old boy named Jack McKinley.<ref>[http://www.politicsforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=137713 Would Meghan's Law Apply To Harvey Milk, Politicsforum.org]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sexual Predator Honored With U.S. Postage Stamp |author=Matt Barber |publisher=Americans for Truth |date=28 Oct 2013 |url=http://americansfortruth.com/2013/10/28/barber-sexual-predator-harvey-milk-honored-with-postage-stamp/ |quote=As a 33-year-old homosexual man, Harvey Milk entered into a homosexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, according to his late biographer. The age-of-consent in California was 18. |accessdate=31 Jul 2017}}</ref>

Milk was working to help at-risk youths. At age 33, he sodomized a 16-year-old boy named Jack McKinley.<ref>[http://www.politicsforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=137713 Would Meghan's Law Apply To Harvey Milk, Politicsforum.org]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sexual Predator Honored With U.S. Postage Stamp |author=Matt Barber |publisher=Americans for Truth |date=28 Oct 2013 |url=http://americansfortruth.com/2013/10/28/barber-sexual-predator-harvey-milk-honored-with-postage-stamp/ |quote=As a 33-year-old homosexual man, Harvey Milk entered into a homosexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, according to his late biographer. The age-of-consent in California was 18. |accessdate=31 Jul 2017}}</ref>

==References==

==References==