Schwarzenegger Signs Harvey Milk Bill

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on Sunday night to recognize May 22, the birthday of slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, as an annual day of significance in California.

The governor signed the legislation as a deadline loomed, and as it appeared that he might reject the bill once again, according to GayPolitics.com, a site maintained by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

"The first attempt to establish the day of significance was vetoed by Schwarzenegger, who at the time said it was more appropriate to honor Milk locally where he had the most impact," GayPolitics.com reported. "Since then the Oscar-winning movie Milk, a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, and his induction into the California Hall of Fame has elevated Harvey Milk's status as a civil rights icon."

According to Equality California, the bill "would require the governor proclaim May 22 each year as Harvey Milk Day. It would encourage public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date."