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October 02, 2008

Governor Schwarzenegger Vetoes Harvey Milk Bill

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have honored Harvey Milk's birthday as a statewide "day of significance," reports the Associated Press. In a statement on Tuesday, Schwarzenegger defended his decision by saying that the icon's "contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level."

The bill, which was sponsored by San Francisco assemblyman Mark Leno, was contested by conservative groups, who appealed to the governor to veto the legislation.

Milk was one of the first openly gay men to hold a prominent political office in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors in 1977. Milk, a film about the politician's life, directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn, is set for release this December. (The Advocate)

Keywords:  Harvey Milk 
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Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: fred
    Date posted: 2008-10-03 1:56 PM
    Hometown: ny

    Comment:

    Log Cabin Republicans are like so self loathing!


  • Name: Art M.
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 6:07 PM
    Hometown: SFCAUSA

    Comment:

    To Joseph in Alabama who wrote: "Nothing was in the article about the Log Cabin Republicans but it's obvious that some gays can't read what's put before them." Aren't Log Cabins constantly telling us that they are influencing Republicans to be friendlier and more inclusive of gays? Here we had a chance for the Log Cabins to have influenced Arnold into letting us have Harvey Milk Day. Would it have COST anything? Used tax dollars? I could understand if Arnold vetoed it then, but that's not the case. He did this OUT OF SPITE for gays. Don't you understand that? Log Cabins are 100% ineffectual.


  • Name: Art M.
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 5:56 PM
    Hometown: SFCAUSA

    Comment:

    Robert H - you support people and vote for people who attack YOU based on your sexuality. We INTELLIGENT people call you stupid for doing that. It is NOT in your best interest to vote for someone who has PROMISED to take every step in their power to take away YOUR civil rights. Maybe you don't understand how politics within the Republican Party works, that they have to promise to adhere to the Party Platform, which includes anti-gay planks. Please note that I'm not knocking you for being gay - I'm knocking you for being a REPUBLICAN. I'd do that whether you were gay or not, so calling me a homophobe just shows how you are lacking in the ability to understand LOGIC and REASON (which goes hand in hand in being a Republiturd MORON).


  • Name: red3953
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 4:57 PM
    Hometown: kalama wa

    Comment:

    Of course he did! HE's a freakin' Republican! When is he up for reelection?


  • Name: Joseph
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 4:19 PM
    Hometown: Montgomery, AL

    Comment:

    Some folks seem to forget that Ah-nuld was the one most responsible for the whole same-sex marriage issue going to the ballot in the first place. The State Legislature had actually passed a bill that would allow same-sex marriage, but Ah-nuld vetoed that bill, saying "the people should decide". Thus, we have the Prop 8 measure going to the people. Now, we also have some gays slamming OTHER gays for Ah-nuld's refusal to sign the Milk bill yet there was nothing suggesting that GAYS were responsible in any form or fashion. The article blamed CONSERVATIVES. Nothing was in the article about the Log Cabin Republicans but it's obvious that some gays can't read what's put before them. (That explains why so many support Obama despite HIS inviting McClurkin on that little religion tour of South Carolina AND despite HIS religious-based opposition to same-sex marriage AND despite HIS wanting to expand Dubya's faith-based initiative.)


  • Name: James
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 4:18 PM
    Hometown: Riverside, CA

    Comment:

    This is an outrage! It's like saying we should recognize MLK at the local level, or Cesar Chavez, at the "local level". I am sad but not surprised he vetoed it. He is certainly NOT MY GOVERNOR!


  • Name: Angry In Michigan
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 3:55 PM
    Hometown: Orange

    Comment:

    Don't ever froget who it was who vetoed this very important and significant piece of legislation. Isn't this veto prophetic as the new movie about Harvey Milk starring Sean Penn is about to hit major screens all over the country. Arnold: "It's time for you to go!"


  • Name: GB
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 3:09 PM
    Hometown: LA

    Comment:

    Recall Arnold!


  • Name: Paul
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 12:37 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    Comment:

    There will be no other chances to vote for Arnold...his career in politics is over!


  • Name: Merle
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 8:26 AM
    Hometown: Birmingham

    Comment:

    Actually it is based on the ideology which makes one an "Uncle Tom". Of course you decide what is your best interest. Clearly you have no relationship or job to protect - unless, of course, your relationship and job come SECOND to your political ideology. I have a partner of 25 years. That relationship comes first - political ideology should come second to family. Ever known anyone beaten to death because they were gay? Over the years, I have kown four people beaten to death because they were gay. Of the killers apprehended, NONE were given the death penalty. Again, my ideology is less important than the lives of those individuals. So you see, I have a vested interest in the furtherance of civil rights for gays and lesbians. Wonder which president would sign hate crimes legislation, support job protection, support civil unions and marriage equality? Now, I wonder which one would refer to those things as "special rights"? I guess its about priorities.


  • Name: Robert H
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 7:15 AM
    Hometown: Worcester MA

    Comment:

    Thank you for proving my point Merle. 'Republicans are all vile - gay ones considerably more so because they undermine their own best interest and that of others.' Correct me if i'm wrong but this seems like an attack on my sexuality. Because I choose not to vote the way you apparently do I'm an Uncle Tom, vile and more so because i'm gay. Dearest Merle my best interest is what I say it is. I'll vote the way I choose to and I'm big enough to allow you to do the same. See how I did that Merle I managed to make a point without making a blanket statement calling all progressive gay people traders to their sexuality. IT CAN BE DONE!


  • Name: Merle
    Date posted: 2008-10-02 12:06 AM
    Hometown: Birmingham

    Comment:

    "To Merle / Art: A Governor of a state vetoes a bill and you can't wait to call gay people uncle toms. I have a question. if someone only hates gays that vote Republican is that homophobia too, or is that just an example of being progressive? " Its called politics, dear. Republicans are all vile - gay ones considerably more so because they undermine their own best interest and that of others. Since the disgust is not based on their sexuality, it is not "homophobia". Since I do not make any claim of being a "progressive", or a liberal I cannot answer the latter part of your question. I can, will total confidence, tell you that "progressives" and liberals are not incapable of being agressive, partisan, dogmatic, and every bit as strong an advocate of their position as any "conservative".


  • Name: Robert H
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 11:19 PM
    Hometown: Worcester MA

    Comment:

    To Merle / Art: A Governor of a state vetoes a bill and you can't wait to call gay people uncle toms. I have a question. if someone only hates gays that vote Republican is that homophobia too, or is that just an example of being progressive?


  • Name: Merle
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 6:45 PM
    Hometown: Birmingham

    Comment:

    Yes, let us thank the Uncle Toms Cabin Repukes for their hard work within the party on our behalf. Once again their efforts have accomplished nothing. Worthless, contrarians taking up space.


  • Name: Chris Sullivan
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 5:01 PM
    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    Comment:

    ..and Arnie's contributions should remain at the "film level". What an ass.


  • Name: Art M.
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 3:57 PM
    Hometown: SFCAUSA

    Comment:

    Yep - again, another landmark decision brought to you by those crafty insiders working from within - the Log Cabin Republicans! YEA FOR THEM! They do such GREAT work, don't they???


  • Name: anthony newsome
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 2:21 PM
    Hometown: dublin

    Comment:

    Hi, as a Irish man living in Dublin its not such a shock to learn that Schwarzenegger vetoed this bill regarding the fantastic Harvey Milk, the only thing that I ask is gay/lesbian/bi/transgender/straight remember this in the next elections which involve him, he has vetoed many gay related bills and claimed it is for the good of the gays, what rubbish is that, I am really looking forward to seeing the new 'Milk' film, it should be amazing, my congrats to Brad Pitt for his donation towards the civil rights bill, remember to use your vote on November 4th, anto


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