The Castro in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Harvey Milk

May 22, 1930 - November 27, 1978

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 30, 2013

1. Harvey Milk Marker

Inscription. Harvey Milk made history as the first openly-gay elected official in California, and one of the first in the nation, when he won election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in November 1977. His camera store and campaign headquarters at 575 Castro Street and his apartment upstairs were centers of community activism for a wide range of human rights, environmental, labor and neighborhood issues. Harvey Milk's hard work and accomplishments on behalf of all San Franciscans earned him widespread respect and support. His life is an inspiration to all committed to equal opportunity and an end to bigotry.

"You gotta give 'em hope!"

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1977.

Location. 37° 45.584′ N, 122° 26.085′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in The Castro. It can be reached from Castro Street north of 19th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 575 Castro Street, San Francisco CA 94114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gertrude Stein (a few steps from this marker); Randy Shilts (a few steps from this marker); Christine Jorgensen

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(a few steps from this marker); Harry Hay (a few steps from this marker); Keith Haring (within shouting distance of this marker); Sylvester (within shouting distance of this marker); Frida Kahlo (within shouting distance of this marker); Bayard Rustin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Harvey Milk (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Harvey Milk Biography - The Harvey Milk Foundation. Harvey Milk, was a visionary civil and human rights leader who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk’s unprecedented loud and unapologetic proclamation of his authenticity as an openly gay candidate for public office, and his subsequent election gave never before experienced hope to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) people everywhere at a time when the community was encountering widespread hostility and discrimination. His remarkable
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 30, 2013

2. Harvey Milk Memorial Plaque
Immediately adjacent to the Harvey Milk historical marker is a memorial plaque (installed May, 2010), reading:
HARVEY MILK - Forceful Advocate for the Rights of All "Burst down those closet doors once and for all and stand up and start to fight"
career was tragically cut short when he was assassinated nearly a year after taking office. (Submitted on April 1, 2013.)

2. Everybody Needed Milk. Anne Kronenberg, Milk's campaign manager, offers a personal recollection of what Milk was like, and how he got elected. (Submitted on April 1, 2013.)

Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ

Harvey Milk Marker and Memorial Plaque - Wide View - Looking North Up Castro image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 30, 2013

3. Harvey Milk Marker and Memorial Plaque - Wide View - Looking North Up Castro

The marker and plaque are set in the sidewalk in front of 575 Castro - here the memorial plaque is easily visible, with the adjacent marker somewhat less so.

The Mayor of Castro Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 30, 2013

4. The Mayor of Castro Street

The Mayor of Castro Street gazes down on the Castro from his (tromp l'oeil) window in his apartment above the storefront.

575 Castro Street - home of Harvey Milk and Castro Camera image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 30, 2013

5. 575 Castro Street - home of Harvey Milk and Castro Camera

The building currently houses the Human Rights Campaign and Store.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,533 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.