Harvey Milk was the first openly gay politician to be elected in California in 1978.

During his tenure in office Milk pushed legislation to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill passed with just one dissenting vote by Dan White, the city supervisor, who shot and killed Milk in November 1978, 10 months after being sworn in.

In 2009, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger designated May 22, Milk’s birthday, as a day of recognition for the late politician and activist.