Pelosi Statement on Harvey Milk Day

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in recognition of Harvey Milk Day, which is celebrated every year in California in honor of the birthday of slain civil rights leader and San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk:

"Harvey Milk Day is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, passion and vision of an extraordinary leader whose legacy continues to inspire people throughout California and around the world. As we mark what would have been Harvey's 92nd birthday, we remember the joyful fight he waged to overcome hate and build a brighter future. Faced with vicious, systemic homophobia, he rallied his neighbors behind the ideals of equality and fairness that San Franciscans cherish so dearly today.

"Harvey advanced the righteous fight for justice by unapologetically making his way into the halls of power – giving ‘the green light' for generations of LGBTQ Americans to take their own seats at the decision-making table. More than four decades after he was sworn in as Supervisor, a surging number of LGBTQ public servants are following the trail that he blazed – from the Congress and the Cabinet to state houses and city halls across the nation. In the House, a record number of LGBTQ Members are leading Democrats' charge to stamp out hate and enshrine full equality into law. Spearheaded by Congressman David Cicilline, the House-passed Equality Act will extend the full protections of the Civil Rights Act to LGBTQ Americans. And as right-wing extremists take aim at our most fundamental rights, the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is guiding Democrats' fight to uphold dignity for all Americans.

"Standing against hateful oppression, Harvey often spoke about the importance of ‘hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow.' In honoring his remarkable legacy, let us recommit to preserving that hope for a new generation, rooting out bigotry and finally living up to the full promise of American Democracy."