Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Harvey Milk

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Harvey Milk.

Harvey Milk was a pioneering American politician and activist. He made history as the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Milk's political career, though tragically short, was marked by his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. He championed ordinances protecting gay rights and fought against discrimination. Milk's assassination, along with Mayor George Moscone, shocked the nation and solidified his status as a martyr for the gay rights movement. His life and legacy continue to inspire activists and politicians fighting for equality and representation.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

September 22, 1975: Sipple saves President Ford

On September 22, 1975, Oliver "Bill" Sipple, ex-lover of Milk's, saved President Gerald Ford from an assassination attempt. Milk used this opportunity to highlight the heroic acts of gay people and improve public perception, disclosing Sipple's sexuality to a newspaper.

1976: Peoples Temple

In 1976 Milk accepted Temple volunteers to work his phones.

June 21, 1977: Robert Hillsborough's murder

On June 21, 1977, Robert Hillsborough was murdered, stabbed 15 times, while his attackers shouted anti-gay slurs. Mayor Moscone and Hillsborough's mother blamed Anita Bryant and John Briggs. One week prior, Briggs had referred to San Francisco as a "sexual garbage heap".

1977: Dade County civil rights ordinance and reaction

In 1977, activists in Miami, Florida passed a civil rights ordinance that made discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal in Dade County. Christian fundamentalists responded with the 'Save Our Children' campaign led by Anita Bryant, which successfully overturned the ordinance.

February 19, 1978: Milk defends Jim Jones

On February 19, 1978, Harvey Milk wrote a letter to President Jimmy Carter defending cult leader Jim Jones as "a man of the highest character" when asked. Milk's relationship with the Temple was similar to other politicians' in Northern California.

November 10, 1978: Dan White Resigns from Board of Supervisors

On November 10, 1978, Dan White resigned from his position on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, citing that his annual salary of $9,600 was insufficient to support his family.

1978: Briggs' anti-gay bill

In 1978, California State Senator John Briggs, motivated by the success of Christian fundamentalists in Miami, wrote a bill that would ban gays and lesbians from teaching in California public schools. He maintained that it was just politics.

1978: Campaign against Proposition 6

In 1978, Harvey Milk campaigned against Proposition 6, dubbed the "Briggs Initiative", throughout California. This proposed law would have made firing gay teachers mandatory. Milk debated Briggs, countering his claims with statistics and jokes.

May 21, 1979: Dan White Acquitted of First-Degree Murder

On May 21, 1979, Dan White was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge but found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the deaths of Milk and Moscone. He was sentenced to seven and two-thirds years in prison and cried upon hearing the verdict.

January 7, 1984: Dan White Released From Prison

On January 7, 1984, Dan White was released from prison after serving just over five years for the double homicide of Moscone and Milk.

October 21, 1985: Dan White Dies by Suicide

On October 21, 1985, Dan White was found dead in his wife's garage, having committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. He was 39 years old.

August 16, 2016: USNS Harvey Milk Ship Officially Named

On August 16, 2016, the ship USNS Harvey Milk was officially named at a ceremony in San Francisco, generating some controversy considering Milk's antiwar stance later in his life.

June 2025: USNS Harvey Milk Renamed

In June 2025, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered that Milk's name be removed from the ship USNS Harvey Milk, which was renamed USNS Oscar V. Peterson.