The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has issued an interesting clarification about Harvey Milk's role in modern gay political history:
Milk: A trailblazer, but not the first
The release of “Milk” has the mainstream media focused on Harvey Milk’s legacy as a trailblazer in politics. He was indeed one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., but he wasn’t THE first. For the record:
– 1st—Kathy Kozachenko, an out lesbian, was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council in January 1974.
– 2nd—Elaine Noble, an out lesbian, was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in November 1974.
– 3rd—Allan Spear, an openly gay man who was closeted when he was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1972, came out in office in 1974 and was reelected in 1976.
– 4th—Harvey Milk, an openly gay man, was first elected in November 1977 to a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
After the upcoming inaugural season, nearly 450 out officials will be serving in public offices across the U.S.
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