Harvey Milk quotes

Harvey Milk was an American politician and one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. As a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he became a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social change. He inspired generations with his activism and remains an enduring symbol of hope and equality. Here are 33 of his quotes:

I have never considered myself a candidate. I have always considered myself part of a movement, part of a candidacy. I considered the movement the candidate. I think that there's a distinction between those who use the movement and those who are part of the movement. I think I was always part of the movement. I wish I had time to explain everything I did. Almost everything was done with an eye on the gay movement.

Harvey Milk

It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions.

Harvey Milk

Hope will never be silent.

Harvey Milk

Burst down those closet doors once and for all, and stand up and start to fight.

Harvey Milk

Coming out is the most political thing you can do.

Harvey Milk

I ask for the movement to continue, for the movement to grow, because last week I got a phone call from Altoona, Pennsylvania, and my election gave somebody else, one more person, hope. And after all, that's what this is all about. It's not about personal gain, not about ego, not about power - it's about giving those young people out there in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias, hope. You gotta give them hope.

Harvey Milk

I don't think we have a right to take the people who raised us, who made us strong and healthy, and toss them away like a can of beer.

Harvey Milk

Gay brothers and sisters,...You must come out. Come out... to your parents... I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives... come out to your friends... if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors... to your fellow workers... to the people who work where you eat and shop... come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters who are becoming scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene.

Harvey Milk

And the young gay people in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias and the Richmond, Minnesotas who are coming out and hear Anita Bryant in television and her story. The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up. And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward. It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone.

Harvey Milk

If I do a good job, people won't care if I am green or have three heads.

Harvey Milk

The American Dream starts with the neighborhoods.

Harvey Milk

I have tasted freedom. I will not give up that which I have tasted.

Harvey Milk

All over the country, they're reading about me, and the story doesn't center on me being gay. It's just about a gay person who is doing his job.

Harvey Milk

I stand for all those who feel that the government no longer understands the individual and no longer respects individual rights.

Harvey Milk

More people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason. That, my friends, that is true perversion.

Harvey Milk

This is Harvey Milk speaking from the camera store on the evening of Friday, November 18. This is to be played only in the event of my death by assassination. I fully realize that a person who stands for what I stand for, an activist, a gay activist, becomes a target or the potential target for somebody who is insecure, terrified, afraid, or very disturbed themselves. Knowing that I could be assassinated at any moment, any time, I feel it's important that some people know my thoughts. And so the following are my thoughts, my wishes, and my desires, whatever, and I'd like to pass them on and have them played for the appropriate people.

Harvey Milk

All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.

Harvey Milk

Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.

Harvey Milk

All men are created equal. Now matter how hard they try, they can never erase those words. That is what America is about.

Harvey Milk

I finally reached the point where I knew I had to become involved or shut up.

Harvey Milk

If we wish to rebuild our cities, we must first rebuild our neighborhoods.

Harvey Milk

It's not my victory, it's yours and yours and yours. If a gay can win, it means there is hope that the system can work for all minorities if we fight. We've given them hope.

Harvey Milk