San Diego becomes first city to name street for Harvey Milk


Photos and story by Jenn Sanders

SAN DIEGO — May 22, 2012 was a historical day for San Diego. A street was renamed for the late Harvey Milk,  the slain gay activist who was a San Francisco County Supervisor. Six speakers helped inaugurate the sign.  They included Stuart Milk, the nephew of the honoree; San Diego City Council members Todd Gloria and Anthony Young; and gay community activists Nicole Murray-Ramirez, Dwayne Crenshaw, and Delores Jacobs.

All spoke about the life of Harvey Milk and his message of hope. On this day San Diego became the first city in the nation to dedicate a street in honor of the first openly gay politician. The unveiling of the street sign was followed by festivities at The Center

Nicole Murray-Ramirez, a member of the San Diego Human Rights Commission, spoke of the achievements in the life of Harvey Milk, including his time in the Navy. At one point Harvey Milk was stationed here in San Diego. “Welcome back home Harvey, and job well done,” Murray-Ramirez said.

Harvey Milk, who was Jewish, did not fight only for those of the LGBT community, but stood for “the little man,” Murray-Ramirez said.  He took a moment to thank all the neighbors on the now Harvey Milk Street for allowing the name change from Blaine Avenue. Murray-Ramirez ended his speech with a phrase he has repeated in his own writings and speeches “a community that doesn’t know where it came from will not know where it’s going.”

Gloria, in whose district Harvey Milk Street is located,  thanked all those who helped in the process leading up to the City Council’s unanimous vote for the street renaming. He thanked gay community members and straight allies who helped in making the 10-year process of the naming of the street come true.

Stuart Millk

The special guest of the event was Harvey Milk’s own nephew Stuart Milk, who is known as the gay ambassador to the world. He has done a lot of work for the LGBT movement around the world. He also founded the Harvey Milk Foundation, which gives scholarships to LGBT students every year. Stuart Milk started the Harvey Milk Month in Rome, among many, many other generous acts he has done around the world for the community in memory of his uncle. “San Diego is truly inclusive and is keeping my uncle’s dream of hope alive,” he said.

The honor of unveiling of the street sign at the intersection of Harvey Milk and Center Streets was given Delores Jacobs, executive director of the LGBT Community Center.  She did so as between 75 and 100 people in the audience shouted  “pull that string.”  The event was followed by a reception in The Center.

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Sanders is a freelance writer based in San Diego.