Many times I have been asked why I am so patriotic and wear my American flag shirts to civil rights rallies and almost every March on Washington where I have been involved and/or spoken. I come from a very patriotic and Catholic family upbringing as my father served in the Army in World War II, and my gay brother served in the Navy. In fact, my father was a leader in the “American G.I. Forum,” our nation’s first national Latino organization.
As a Latino and a gay man, I am also very proud of the contributions made by both my Latino and LGBT communities to our great country. I have been involved and supported the efforts that resulted in Cesar Chavez getting a state holiday and U.S. postage stamp, and I was on the local committee raising money for San Diego’s very first Cesar Chavez parade, helping its founder, my good friend Rachael Ortiz.
Many years ago I realized that no openly LGBT American had been honored with a U.S. postage stamp, street, ship, etc. while other community’s civil rights icons and American leaders had. Symbolism and recognition of America’s diverse communities and citizens is very important in telling the story of minorities whose civil rights struggles and contributions make America the great nation that it is. I am proud that I and the International Imperial Court System, with the help of then Supervisor Bevan Duffy, led the successful campaign that got the City of San Francisco to name its first street named after a gay man, World War II veteran and the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in North America (1961) Jose Julio Sarria (Founder of the Imperial Courts System in 1975).
It took seven years after I, along with the Imperial Court Chapters (in 68 cities within the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico) launched the successful campaign to get the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp in honor of Harvey Milk which was unveiled at the White House. The GLBT Historic Task Force and I launched the successful campaign to get San Diego its first street named after a gay citizen, Harvey Milk. Major credit must be given to Councilman Todd Gloria who was our partner and voice at City Hall.
In 2011, once again the International Court System, the GLBT Task Force and I launched another national letter writing campaign to petition the Secretary of the Navy Ray Maybus, to name a naval vessel in honor of Harvey Milk, who served in the Navy and was stationed in San Diego in the 1950s. Among the honorary co-chairs were Stuart Milk, Congresswoman Susan Davis, then Congressman Bob Filner and Iraq War Veteran Eric Alva of Texas. Among the thousands of Americans who wrote letters were: Mayor Jonathan Rothschild of Tucson, Ariz.; Mayor Ed Murray of Seattle, Wash.; Councilman Mike Laster of Houston, Texas; Councilwoman Jenny Brekhus of Reno, Nev.; U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island; California Assemblywoman Toni Atkins; California State Sen. Christine Kehoe; Arizona State Sen. Ed Ableser; the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; the City of West Hollywood; Mayor Thomas Menino, Boston, Mass.; Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Salem, Mass.; Mayor Jim Gray, Lexington, Ky.;. State Rep. Joel Briscoe of Salt Lake City; and many, many more, all of whom were lobbied by the Imperial Court Chapters in cities across the U.S.A.
The City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission has been the first city government body to endorse both the Harvey Milk national stamp campaign and ship campaign, as well as the campaign for a California Harvey Milk State Holiday. In 2013, then Mayor Todd Gloria met with Navy Secretary Maybus at his office at the Pentagon, and discussed his support for the campaign. I also spoke with the Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, about our Harvey Milk ship campaign.
Last Thursday, LGBT civil rights advocate Stuart Milk contacted me from Europe to inform me that once again our campaign was victorious! For two days my cell phone rang with congratulations and media interviews from all over the U.S. Yes, I am proud to have led these successful campaigns, but know this, these successes were accomplished because of many people – Imperial Courts, straight and LGBT elected officials (both Democratic and Republican), and organizations who became involved. I am grateful for the friendship and support of Stuart Milk and the Harvey Milk Foundation, and Rea Carey and Russell Roybal of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Now, it’s up to Congress and things are looking good for our Harvey Milk vessel, with the possibilities of it being built and dedicated right here in San Diego.
Now, join the GLBT Historic Task Force and the National LGBTQ Task Force as we campaign to get a postage stamp in honor of Bayard Rustin. Locally, support our efforts to get a San Diego AIDS Memorial built, and a school named after Christine Kehoe. Let’s get Jose Julio Sarria inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
While I do appreciate all of your messages of congratulations, it was, and always has been, a team effort of committed people.
We did it!
Count the number of times Nicole used “I” in this article. Nicole is a legend in her/his/it’s own mind and always has been. Isn’t Nicole just wonderful? Really Nicole, you do not represent the gay community, you are an embarrassment to most of us. You’ve lived off of this Milk thing for long enough. Time for you to find a new mission of campaigning for another political person that you will flip-flop on several times. Pat yourself on the back and then slap your face a few times. You’re just not important.
It’s quite funny that Nicole thinks she’s the only one behind the Milk ship. As a matter of fact, he had little to do with any of it. It’s just another old drag queen that must insert himself into something controversial. Nicole, do you recall the Harvey Milk Diner you raved about and then when it went belly-up you criticized the food and management? Get off your high-horse. You’re just a beat up drag queen that never held a job.