From the Sacramento Bee, they are reporting that Senator Mark Leno's bill declaring 'Harvey Milk Day' has passed the CA state senate 24-14 with a lone republican vote from senator Abel Maldonado.
I love this bit from the story:
Maldonado also credited recent testimony before the Senate Education Committee recently with changing his mind. That testimony happened to come from a young gay man, Dustin Lance Black, who won an Academy Award this year for his screenplay of the movie "Milk."
Maldonado said he empathized with Black, as he described growing up in a Mormon family in Texas and California and feeling emotional turmoil and isolation because of anti-gay sentiment. "I rarely get swayed by testimony," Maldonado said.
The bill passed through the legislature last year but was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger who said was a local issue unworthy of a statewide day. Please sign the Equality California petition to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to sign the legislation making May 22 "Harvey Milk Day" in the State of California.
I grew up in Iowa and remember hearing the story of the first openly gay supervisor in San Francisco. I can't tell you how much hope that gave to me, a closeted teenager... so Arnold is very wrong in thinking he was just a local cause celebre. When you watch the movie 'Milk' you know Harvey touched lives across the country gay and straight.
NOM was right... a storm is gathering - a perfect storm of equality.
BRB, need to pedal my butt home.... (May is bike to work month you know)