ABOUT HARVEY MILK
Harvey Milk was a pioneering civil rights leader and one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. His election gave hope to LGBTQ people nationwide during a time of widespread discrimination.
Born in New York in 1930, Milk served in the U.S. Navy before working as a teacher, stock analyst, and theater production associate. He moved to San Francisco in 1972, opened a camera shop on Castro Street, and quickly became a leader in the city’s growing gay community. He founded the Castro Village Association, organized the Castro Street Fair, and built powerful coalitions among labor, minority, and neighborhood groups.
As a supervisor, Milk championed anti-discrimination protections, affordable housing, childcare, and stronger city services. He became a leading voice against California’s Proposition 6, which sought to ban gay teachers from public schools, helping defeat it. His call for LGBTQ people to “come out” became a rallying cry for equality.
On November 27, 1978, Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated at City Hall by former supervisor Dan White. Milk’s deth sparked national outrage and a massive candlelight march.
His legacy endures through books, films, schools, public spaces, Harvey Milk Day, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded posthumously in 2009. He remains a symbol of courage, authenticity, and the ongoing fight for equality.
ABOUT LESLEA NEWMAN
Lesléa (pronounced “Lez-LEE-uh”) Newman is the author of more than 85 books for readers of all ages, including A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK, OCTOBER MOURNING: A SONG FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD, HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES, I CARRY MY MOTHER, and THE BOY WHO CRIED FABULOUS.
A pioneering voice in LGBTQ+ literature, she wrote HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES, the first children’s book to portray lesbian families positively, and has continued to explore themes of identity, family, justice, and resilience in works for both children and adults. Her acclaimed short story A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK was later adapted into both a film and stage play.
Ms. Newman has received numerous honors, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, two National Jewish Book Awards, two Stonewall Honors, the Massachusetts Book Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and multiple Lambda Literary Award recognitions.
A sought-after speaker and educator, she has lectured at colleges nationwide and served as Poet Laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts. Her books have been translated into many languages around the world.
Photo by By Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64094765
ABOUT ELAYNE LeTRAUNIK
Elayne LeTraunik is a native Chicagoan who has been active in the city’s theater community since the 1970s. She is the Artistic Director of Arts Judaica and a founder and former Artistic Director of Red Hen Productions and Chicago Jewish Theatre. She has directed and produced numerous acclaimed productions, including the Chicago premiere of A DYBBUK and a revival of CLASS ENEMY. She has also worked extensively as a publicist, grant writer, script consultant, and arts advocate for Chicago theater companies. In addition to her directing work, she remains active as an actor in film, commercials, and independent productions. Elayne currently works as a freelance grant writer and PR person for a number of small theater and arts companies in Chicago. More information about her can be found at elayneletraunik.weebly.com.
ABOUT DOUGLAS LEVIN
Douglas Levin’s recent roles include Carl Voldman in SURVIVORS, Rabbi/Ensemble in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Music Theater Works), Mitchell in THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED (Live Theatre Workshop), Richard Dalloway in MRS. DALLOWAY, and Toby Belch (Rogue Theatre); Malvolio, Polonius, and Bottom (Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival); and Albert Dussel in GOOD AT HEART (Cleveland Public Theatre). He dedicates this performance to Harvey Milk and to all leaders who stand against injustice and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community — and for all people.
