LGBT, civil and human rights activist, Stuart Milk joined a host of other dignitaries Friday to unveil and dedicate a new mural at Wells Fargo Bank’s Hillcrest branch that depicts some of the major achievements of the local LGBT community.
The design of the mural features key figures, organizations and events central to the LGBT rights movement in San Diego, including slain civil rights icon, Harvey Milk.
It was created by Wells Fargo and was made with images from Lambda Archives of San Diego, The San Diego History Center, the Harvey Milk archives, the San Diego LGBT Community Center and the GLBT Historic Task Force of San Diego.
Together with Stuart Milk, among those present at the unveiling were Stampp Corbin, co-chair of the 2008 Obama National LGBT Leadership Council and publisher of San Diego LGBT Weekly, and former San Diego mayor and champion of LGBT equality, Jerry Sanders.
Stuart Milk, drawing on San Diego’s connections to his late uncle, Harvey Milk said, “My uncle walked these streets. This was his first time living in California, when he was here in San Diego and he served in the Navy. He believed that we would have this day. This mural is not just simply come on in and you’re welcomed if you’re gay. It’s look at what your history is and be part of that.”
While Harvey Milk is a key figure in the mural, according to Stuart Milk the mural represents much more. “Harvey’s statement was ‘it was never about my candidacy; this is about a movement.’”
In addition to Harvey Milk, the mural highlights local pioneer activists such as Nicole Murray Ramirez, Jeri Dilno, Bridget Wilson, Terry Cunningham, and Jess Jessop.
“This mural is an additional acknowledgement of what this neighborhood has meant to the LGBT community and, just as important, what the LGBT community has meant for Hillcrest,” Corbin said during the dedication. “Part of acknowledging what the LGBT community has meant to Hillcrest is to recognize the individuals who have contributed to and benefited from Hillcrest, such as Harvey Milk. It acknowledges Harvey Milk’s connection to San Diego and acknowledges what San Diego has done for him.”
Wells Fargo Bank officials were eager to show their support of the struggle for LGBT equality in San Diego and beyond.
“This is about celebrating history, diversity and it’s about celebrating pride,” Wells Fargo Area president for San Diego, Ernesto Arredondo told LGBT Weekly.
“Our goal is to mirror the communities in which we work, serve and live and this Hillcrest store should be honoring those individuals,” Arredondo said.
Local businesses are imperative when it comes to inspiring support for the LGBT community, said one of the dignitaries invited to dedicate the new mural, which is located at 1220 Cleveland Ave.
“I think that when large banks start to support the LGBT community and respect it, then it shows all businesses how important the LGBT community is,” said former mayor of San Diego, Jerry Sanders, who is now president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This is something that will inspire people to learn. It’s a tremendous amount of respect for the community.”
Arredondo added that being “fully supportive” to LGBT people means more than offering them a seat at the table.
“When we talk about diversity and inclusion, diversity is like being asked to the dance,” he said. “Inclusion is being asked to dance at the dance. At Wells Fargo, for anybody that is different, not only are you going to be asked to the dance, but you are going to be asked to dance and our team members do an incredible job every day for our community.”
