On July 15, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights will screen the second in our Films That Matter series in Woodruff Park.  The film is Milk and it is a true story starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the late activist and City of San Francisco Supervisor. 

Milk was the first openly gay elected official in a major U.S city and he believed that only by living “out” and unapologetically would lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people receive the full slate of civil rights.  An inspiring and tragic figure, Milk was ultimately assassinated by an ideological and political opponent along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in 1978.  His life and death highlight themes that reflect the core of the Center’s mission and we are glad to share it with a broad audience. 

As a pioneer in the area of gay rights, Milk exemplified courage of conviction that will be seen and felt throughout the Center.  Beyond that, his life reminds us that a person’s path is not set, and one can work for something they believe in at any time.  At the beginning of the film Milk is 40 years old, broke and not yet living in San Francisco.  A few dedicated and passionate years can change the world.

 Milk’s assassination by an opponent powerfully displays the urgent need for a place where people can engage the other in a civil and non-violent way.  Time and time again we have lost great leaders and thinkers because violent acts.

Finally, Milk reminds us that the leaders of today were impacted by events and movements of the past. The movie features the senior senator from California, Diane Feinstein, who was then a City of San Francisco Supervisor.  In 1978, when the assassinations occurred, Governor Jerry Brown and President Jimmy Carter made public statements of grief and loss. 

The aftermath of these events had the power to chip away at democracy.  San Francisco revoked its form of city representation, fearing that the divisiveness of the neighborhood- based city supervisor contests had contributed to the violence and loss of two leaders.  It took twenty-two years for city residents to regain their preferred form of representation.  Long after Milk was in the headlines, his legacy and the trauma of his loss impacted his community.  Even today, Brown and Feinstein refer to his example and his assassination as pivotal parts of their journey as leaders.

Milk is a profound and vital addition to Films That Matter.  We hope you will bring your friends and engage all the movie has to offer.