Honoring Harvey Milk
A look back at a trailblazer's legacy
As we celebrate Pride Month, we honor the life of Harvey Milk, a trailblazer and iconic figure in the struggle for gay rights. In 1977, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, making him one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States and a hero to millions. He was honored with a stamp in 2014, which featured the colors of the pride flag running down the top left corner.
A commitment to serving a broad constituency — not only LGBTQ+ people — helped make Milk an effective and popular leader. He was an eloquent speaker with a winning sense of humor and was able to build coalitions between diverse groups. His achievements gave hope and confidence to gay people at a time when the community was encountering widespread hostility.
Milk believed the government should represent all citizens, ensuring equality and providing needed services. In the years since his tragic death, there have been hundreds of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender public officials in America. In 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Milk the Medal of Freedom.
Join the U.S. Postal Service in remembering Harvey Milk and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community this June.
