Before the rise of the 20th century, ‘gay rights’ was a term unfamiliar to many. This group of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people was ignored as a part of society and oppressed throughout history. Gays were in constant fear of being arrested or fired at their jobs because of their sexuality. As a result, many gays lived quiet, hidden lives. It was not until the end of World War II, when young people migrated to major cities and shifted societal viewpoints, that gays were finally given recognition. As more gay organizations and activists arose, the gay rights movement took off. Harvey Bernard Milk, a political gay rights activist who at first had trouble coming to terms with his own sexuality, carried the responsibility of the gay…show more content… Based on history, Milk knew that in order to reach equality, a gay person must first be elected into office in order to acquire the ability to raise public awareness of the movement. Milk stated, “There is a major difference – and it remains a vital difference – between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office…It’s not enough anymore just to have friends represent us. No matter how good that friend may be” (“Bringing People Hope”). Milk saw the need for political representation of homosexuals. It was not enough to just have those who supported them in office; what we needed was a figure that could personally relate to the gay lifestyle. So, Milk took action. Campaigning as a gay populist and expressing his desire to bring together the city’s ethnically, racially, and sexually diverse communities, Milk lost his first two campaigns running for San Francisco City Supervisor. Although he was defeated, Milk gained the title “Mayor of Castro Street” as a result of his popularity and effort to campaign. Milk was finally elected, on his third attempt, as San Francisco City Supervisor in 1977 and became the nation’s best-known gay politician. Having a gay figure in the political spectrum was a huge step forward for the gay rights movement. The power Milk now held and the potential progress and change he could make skyrocketed. The gay community was now one step forward in achieving
