Dear community,
Two years ago today, I brought home my little fur baby. Each day when he greets me at my front door, “Hi Squish/Bubbie/Little Man/Stink/etc.”, I say as I drop my bag on the counter and begin my post-work decompressing. Anyone who has a pet knows that nicknames are plentiful, but at the end of the day, his government name remains Harvey Milk.
Yep, I named my cat after one of my all-time heroes. Such an obvious choice when I realized that his Gotcha Day was also Harvey’s birthday, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Whenever I call out “Harvey, get down from there!” or “Harvey, you ready some dinner?”, I’m reminded a little of his namesake. This is my way of keeping Harvey Milk’s legacy in my life. His actions changed the course of our history, and we as a community should strive to remember and celebrate his influence whenever we can. The Mayor of Castro Street would be 95 today. Most of us were not lucky enough to have met him, but he lives on in our actions, our words, our…hope. Hope for a brighter future for us and generations to come. Hope that today’s youth will live in a world with fewer walls, fewer prejudices, fewer judgments. Hope that maybe one day, just maybe, we can all truly be equal and happy.
We most certainly need hope, but we also need action. Instead of giving in and backing down, we need to get out and educate, volunteer, and simply be present in the world. Showing everyone that we exist and aren’t going away might just be the most powerful action we can take. Harvey was a huge advocate for tearing down closet doors. This is how I wish to believe Harvey would’ve wanted things–hope and action with the intent of making the world better for everyone. Imagine what he would think of the festival or parade in July–seeing the faces of pure joy able to express themselves freely. What would Harvey say knowing that it’s been nearly 10 years since Obergefell? How would he feel about watching Sarah McBride become the first transgender person to serve in the US Congress?
In 1978, when Mayor Moscone signed the anti-discrimination bill into law, a document that gave hope to millions, he used a light blue pen gifted to him by Harvey. I’ve been contemplating buying myself a nice pen and guess what color ink I will choose? Cuz, why not? Harvey isn’t here, but we are, and we can live each day doing things that honor his vision. Sure, getting a cat and buying a pen are small potatoes compared to the work that Harvey accomplished, but little things like this remind me daily of the possibilities for a happier world.
I get to walk out of my house with a green beard in tie-dye overalls and painted nails because people like Harvey Milk stood up and said “enough”. Sure, I live in an area that is generally accepting, but I came from a homophobic upbringing, and I know that millions of others still face those challenges even within San Diego County. Often it feels like things are out of my control. So what power do I have? A voice. We all have a voice. So let’s make ourselves heard. Join us this July at the parade and festival, and also year-round to use your voice, take action, and most of all, give hope to a world that needs it now more than ever.
With Pride,
Scott D. Halerz
Office Coordinator/Cat Daddy
San Diego Pride
San Diego Pride raises funds primarily through festival ticket and beverage sales, and through sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. These funds support San Diego Pride’s community philanthropy which has distributed more than $2.5 million in advancement of its mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
