Hundreds of people turned out Saturday
as Salt Lake City dedicated a street to Harvey Milk.
900 South was renamed “Harvey Milk
Boulevard” in honor of the slain politician and gay rights leader.
Milk was the first openly gay elected
official of a major U.S. City. He was elected to the San Francisco
Board of Supervisors in 1977 on a pledge to back gay and lesbian
rights. The following year, Milk was killed by Dan White, a former
supervisor.
Salt Lake City Councilman Stan Penfold
proposed the name change.
“We're sending a message to the world
really that we are a very inclusive and supportive city,” Penfold
told The
Salt Lake Tribune.
Jackie Bikupski, the city's first
openly gay mayor, said she owed a debt of gratitude to Milk.
“I am here today because of people
like Harvey. He was a hero of mine, somebody I looked up to, who
inspired me years after he was gone,” Bikupski said.
Out singer Tyler Glenn of the band Neon
Trees performed two songs at the event.
“I was obsessed with Harvey Milk when
I found out about him,” Glenn said. “I loved his gusto and his
spirit. I always think about his courage and him standing up in
front of crowds that probably hated his guts.”