California governor vetoes proposal honoring homosexual rights hero

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Comments: 10

Sacramento, Calif., Oct 4, 2008 / 04:23 pm (CNA).- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have instated a statewide “Harvey Milk Day” in honor of the homosexual rights hero and encouraged public schools to observe the day by conducting “exercises remembering and recognizing” his life.

The vetoed bill AB 2567 was proposed by Assemblyman Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat. It would have set May 22, Milk’s birthday, as “a day of special significance” and required the governor to proclaim Harvey Milk Day on May 22 every year, the California Catholic Daily reports.

“This bill would put California on record as recognizing the social contributions that Harvey Milk made to our nation as a civil rights leader,” Leno explained in a legislative analyst’s review of the bill. “It would also allow schools to conduct activities that would foster respect for all, and educate students about an important figure who is often omitted from history lessons."

In 1977 Milk won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly homosexual man elected to an important political office in the United States.

The following year, he and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by another Supervisor, Dan White.

Gov. Schwarzenegger explained his veto in a message to the California Assembly, saying:

“I respect the author’s intent to designate May 22nd as ‘Harvey Milk Day’ and a day of special significance for California public schools and educational institutions to honor Harvey Milk as an important community leader and public official in the city and county of San Francisco. However, I believe his contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions. For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill.”

Comments: 10

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Tim
Washington, DC 10/13/2008 03:08 PM EST

Thank you, Dan, for being a voice of tolerance and reason among this cacophony of bigotry and hate.

For Eddie V who thinks this country is "changing so negatively" -- the only way it's changing is that gay men and women are becoming less and less afraid to stand up and claim their God-given human dignity and the rights guaranteed to ALL citizens in the US Constitution.

I continue to pray that Catholic leaders will reclaim our Catholic intellectual heritage by including the voice of Reason (along with Faith) once again in the formulation of their pronouncements, and recognize that biblical literalism and fundamentalism in all its forms are affronts to the dignity of the human person, created in the divine image.

Published by: Janice
Bakersfield CA 10/07/2008 10:17 AM EST

Gov. did the right thing--for some, what Harvey Milk did is an ABOMINATION--we love the people suffering from this disorder of homosexuality, but the Bible says to despise sin.

Published by: Nancy
Louisville, KY, US 10/06/2008 10:01 PM EST

Well, what do you know, Gov. Schwarzenegger has finally gotten a conscience. Or could it be that he's been getting alot of HATE MAIL? Regardless, I'm glad that he vetoed the bill.

Published by: Francine Cote'
Palm Beach, Florida, USA 10/06/2008 06:22 PM EST

as a CATHOLIC I agree.

Published by: theresa
l.a. calif. usa 10/06/2008 06:21 PM EST

THANK YOU GOVERNOR!!!!!
THANK YOU GOVERNOR, THANK YOU GOVERNOR, THANK YOU GOVERNOR, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Published by: Ethel
Bismarck,ND 10/06/2008 12:55 PM EST

Thank you Gov Schwartzenegger! One sane thing has happened! May it be followed by more !!!

Published by: Dan
San Luis Obispo, Calif., USA 10/06/2008 12:01 PM EST

Unfortunately the Governor failed to recognize the impact on the civil rights of homosexuals Harvey Milk symbolizes. It's like saying Rosa Parks should only be recognized Montgomery, Alabama.

This holiday would have been an opportunity to teach acceptance of others, sinner as we all are, and not to promote some feared, fictitious gay agenda.

Published by: James
St.Louis 10/06/2008 12:00 PM EST

Finally! One brave,Christian,American Politican standing up for the rights of the American Citizens.
AIC

Published by: thiaCyn
stockton,CA,USofA 10/05/2008 03:31 PM EST

Praise God this didn't pass!

Published by: Eddie V
USA 10/05/2008 09:08 AM EST

I cannot even imagine this being constructed as a bill, or being in existence, much less sitting on Arnold's desk! How this country is changing so negatively is very disturbing.

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