BeautifulMag Week 09-10 | Milk & Honey

"Today San Francisco has experienced a double tragedy of immense proportions. As President of the Board of Supervisors, it is my duty to inform you that both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot and killed." – Dianne Feinstein, former Mayor of San Francisco and senator from California.

Since the end of World War II, San Francisco had been home to a large amount of gay men who were expelled from the military and decided to stay rather than to return to their homes. In San Francisco they could live their lives the way they choose. By 1969, San Francisco has more gay inhabitants than any other American city, and thus it became a harbor for gay men and women. Many gays from all over the United States moved to the City by The Bay, Harvey Milk being one of them. With only 1,000 dollar in his pocket, he moved to the famous Castro Street and opened a camera shop.

Harvey Milk would grow into one of the most outspoken fighters for gay rights in the troubled 1970’s. He was a source of inspiration for all people, and his political campaigns, which faced much opposition due to Milk being gay, led to foundation of the San Francisco Gay Democratic Club and made Harvey a figure head in the ongoing battle for equal rights. Until his untimely death in 1978, when he was shot at the age of 48. It is because of people like Harvey Milk that we now can be open about our sexuality in public and professional life, it is because of people like Harvey Milk that we can walk the streets hand in hand with the one we love, and it is because of people like Harvey Milk that we are able to create a web magazine like BeautifulMag, allowing us to bring you a daily dose of man beauty, sweet as honey. We now live in a time where it is possible for a beautiful man like Paul Reiffer to pursue a career in artistic photography modeling while being able to maintain his job in IT and discuss his modeling work with his co-workers and supervisors. And even though there is a still a lot to fight for, still a lot to achieve, we have come a long way. For the newest generation of gay men and women, it might all seem to natural, but sometimes it is good to stand still and think of those who dedicated their lives to the fight for equal rights, who made it possible for us to live our lives the way we do.

Harvey Milk has become a historical figure and his life has inspired director Gus Van Sant to make the film MILK, starring Sean Penn in the title role. MILK is nominated for 8 Academy Awards and is a historical documentary that all gay man and women should see.  –B-

BEAUTIFUL | EVERYTHING THAT IS

Comments

[Alfredo]

I think that after Harvey Milk we could begin to talk about being proud: I m not in the states, but all over the world generations to come have the hardest first steps done y a long way of figthing for rights. Here in Argentina things at moment for gay men where so dangerous. And there s still along way to go. Tkans for being BEAUTIFUL.

[Martin Brant]

Just saw the movie last week. Wow. Sean Penn did and absolutely outstanding job. Harvey Milk had a beautiful mind and great courage. Everyone should see the movie.

[Tom]

what saddened me most about seeing Milk is that 25 years later very little has changed here in the US. 2 of 50 states grant us the right to marry. Gay men and women are killed daily in hate crimes the same as Harvey was. It makes me very sad to be an American - a gay American. Tonight's Oscars honored Sean Penn for his brilliant portrayal of Harvey Milk and his speech was inspiring. But will we see any more changes in the next 20 years?

Tom
Philadelphia, PA
USA

[walter]

Tom of Philadelphia -- What have you done to bring about the change you desire? The less from Harvey is that no one will do it for you. We, each, must fight the battle. As a blck gay I understand that change doesn't come because it is a good idea. I still am not accepted in the gay community. Blacks are still fighting for emancipation. Prop 8 results are a result of gay men thinking liberation comes without work -- maybe a hundred years of work; maybe more.

[Tom]

Well Walter since you asked....This year EVERY politition who came to my door asking for my vote was asked point blank where they stood on the marriage discrimiation issue and would they support gay rights in legislation. I have to admit a few were surprised but I voted for the candidates that would help us - not sell us out. I have also attended Equality Rally's in Philadelphia and have written to those who have both suppoted and repressed us. Is that good enough so far?!