Specific examples/evidence that supports the thesis:
Summary:
Harvey Milk was an ardent advocate of gay rights and helped make the Castro neighborhood what it is today. He ran for SF Board of Supervisors.
He had to fight against a political machine that was making the major decisions in the city. At the time SF was growing into a tourist and business center and politicians were in industry pockets.
He rallies support of labor, the teamsters union
What does this tell us about Gender in the 1970's - Present day?
There was a gay rights movement in Germany in the early 20th century but it was put to an end when the Nazi's killed 200,000 of them in death camps during the holocaust, the second largest group next to Jews.
SF had a seen during and following the Gold Rush, many of the gay bars ran until they were closed down during prohibition. After the 1906 Earthquake, the religious community claimed that the wrath of God had been incurred upon the city because of all the homosexual sin occurring there.
What does this tell us about Politics in the 1970's - Present day?
Harvey tried to run a grass roots campaign. He shook a lot of hands, worked the press, made alliances with the teamsters (a very conservative organization) and the city Firefighters. His volunteers were composed of friends, local supporters but not the gay rights organizations. The gay rights organizations felt that Harvey didn't pay his dues by helping them before his run for office. They felt he needed to volunteer and help the community before he deserved their support. He argued that gay people would never get into office if they didn't support and vote for each other.
What parts of the book can be applied to lectures?
General Thoughts:
Written by a gay reporter, this book is candid but decidedly favorable of Milk. He glosses over his insatiable sexual appetite and tendency towards promiscuity as well as his abusive treatment of his long time partner, Scott.
Surprised to learn that Milk was not out and afraid of being outed early in his adult life.
He Bought all his suits at thrift stores for under 10$.
Cut his hippie hair to fit into politics.
Used media manipulation to make his campaign look more successful than it was.
Excerpts from Book Reviews:
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Highlighted Passages:
