http://www.sandiego6.com/...10555.html

SAN DIEGO - New street signs were unveiled Tuesday transforming Blaine Avenue, a two-block roadway in Hillcrest, into Harvey Milk Street.

City officials believe the street, which contains a handful of houses and apartment complexes, is the first in the country to honor the slain gay rights leader, who would have turned 82 today. While Milk mainly is associated with San Francisco, where he was a supervisor, he was stationed in San Diego when he was in the Navy.

Milk was one of the first openly gay politicians to hold public office when elected to the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco in 1977. He pushed through a gay rights law before he and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were shot to death in late November 1978 by former Supervisor Dan White.

"His contributions to the fight for equality and his advocacy for the under-represented continue to shape our community and our country," said Todd Gloria, an openly gay member of the City Council who represents the area. "Harvey Milk Street will long serve as a symbol of San Diego's respect for all and our celebration of diversity."

The City Council unanimously approved the name change earlier this month. The city's costs are being covered by donations, according to Gloria.

The street leads right to San Diego's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center on Centre Street.

Stuart Milk, a nephew of Harvey Milk, attended the unveiling as did District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, a lesbian who is running for mayor of San Diego.

"Harvey Milk's courageous fight for justice and equality for Californians continues to inspire and serves as a source of great pride and strength to the community," Dumanis said.

The front-runner in the mayoral race, Carl DeMaio, is one of two openly gay members of the City Council.

Earlier Tuesday, Gov. Jerry Brown issued a proclamation in honor of Milk's birthday.

"His courage in facing a hostile public and his insistence on being treated the same as anyone else contributed greatly to the advancement of this cause," Brown said.

"Milk succeeded because he was not just a gay leader but a champion for his district, a brilliant coalition builder and community organizer who brought the real concerns of ordinary people to city hall."

This makes me feel kind of ashamed for my comments over on the lactose intolerance thread.....

Hillcrest is really fighting the fight. In addition to Harvey Milk Street, something just passed a week or so ago which allows them to place a gigantic rainbow flag on the corner leading into Hillcrest.

For those who dont know San Diego, Hillcrest has a HUGE sign...kind of an arch you pass under...as you enter the neighborhood. It reads HILLCREST in big letters. In July (I think it's the kickoff to Gay Pride parade) there will be a 60-70ft flagpole installed with a massive rainbow flag, right next to the sign.

I dont know how to post articles etc, but if someone searches, I'm sure you'll find it. They've made a pretty big deal about it here in San Diego.

[Edited 5/23/12 14:27pm]

StonedImmaculate said:

Hillcrest is really fighting the fight. In addition to Harvey Milk Street, something just passed a week or so ago which allows them to place a gigantic rainbow flag on the corner leading into Hillcrest.

For those who dont know San Diego, Hillcrest has a HUGE sign...kind of an arch you pass under...as you enter the neighborhood. It reads HILLCREST in big letters. In July (I think it's the kickoff to Gay Pride parade) there will be a 60-70ft flagpole installed with a massive rainbow flag, right next to the sign.

I dont know how to post articles etc, but if someone searches, I'm sure you'll find it. They've made a pretty big deal about it here in San Diego.

[Edited 5/23/12 14:27pm]

the amazing people i'm lucky enough to work with every year in producing one of the largest Matthew Shepard Memorial Events in the country and the loverly Hillcrest Sign.

SAN DIEGO -- Very soon, San Diego's LGBT community will see a colorful symbol of their pride flying high above the Hillcrest neighborhood.

Today, the City Council voted 7-0 to approve a proposal by the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) to install a 65-foot flagpole in the median on Normal Street where it intersects with University Avenue.

City Councilmember Lorie Zapf was absent from the vote.

The plan calls for the pole to fly an 18 foot x 12 foot rainbow pride flag year-round, and include some minor enhancements to the median, around the base of the flagpole.

Many city residents came to today's meeting to speak to the council in favor of or in opposition to the project, although the number of people present supporting the project greatly outnumbered those against.

Longtime anti-gay opponent James Hartline called the flag project a "giveaway of public land" even though that is a false claim. The city will still own the median.

Steve Greenwald called the flagpole a "public safety issue" because of its size, and fears it would topple. That was later disputed by project organizers.

Despite only a few negative comments, the audience overall favored the project. Speakers in support of the project greatly outnumbered those opposed.

Nicholas Moade, owner of Rich's and a donor to the flag project, urged the City Council to pass Item 333. "This flag symbolized tolerance and diversity," Moade said. "As long as LGBT youth are being bullied ... it is important to fly this flag as a beacon of hope."

Dwayne Crenshaw, executive director of San Diego Pride, said Pride is a partner in this private effort. He said Pride would maintain the site year-around.

Michael Brennan, a Hillcrest resident and owner of Urban Green, said the flag "represents me." As one of the project's designers, he disputed criticism that the flagpole was too large scale. "This will inspire the community," he said to applause.

Courtney Ray, who calls herself a straight ally, said the flag represents her as well.

Joel Trambley, a city Human Relations commissioner, said his panel approves of the project. He said rainbow flag is a symbol of tolerance and diversity as values that San Diego supports.

District 3 City Councilman Todd Gloria, who is openly gay, spoke in favor of the project and made the motion for approval. Gloria applauded that the project will be paid for in full without using taxpayer money. "This has been truly a community effort," he said.

“The rainbow flag represents tolerance and diversity, and the struggle for equality for the LGBT community,” Gloria said later in a public statement. “With this flag, Hillcrest is sending the message that the neighborhood stands for the principles of acceptance and inclusion.”

City Councilman Carl DeMaio, one of two mayoral candidates who is also openly gay, said a great city is defined by its diversity. He noted that the project has widespread community support and doesn't cost taxpayer money. He seconded Gloria's motion to approve the project.

City Councilmember Sherri Lightner, before the vote was even taken, asked Benjamin Nicholls, executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association, when the project would be finished. Nicholls said he hoped it would be finished before the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival in mid-July. Lightner beamed and quipped: "It better be done! ... I know where to find you."

After the council voted, applause erupted in the room. Many community members left excited about the installation of the project, which is expected to be in place in time for the annual San Diego LGBT Pride celebration, taking place July 20-22.

Some community members were unsure of the fate of the project, after it went through much scrutiny as it made its way through San Diego's planning process.

While the flagpole received the recommendations of numerous community groups, including the Hillcrest Town Counciland Uptown Planners, it was met with some opposition by members of these groups.

The proposal made its way to the City of San Diego's Planning Commission last month and that group voted to not recommend the project.

Regardless of the Planning Commission's vote, the City Council has the final say, and today's vote means the project will quickly begin construction.

This year's Spirit of Stonewall Rally, traditionally known as the kickoff to San Diego's Pride weekend, will be held this year on Normal Street, around the base of the flagpole. San Diego Pride plans to ceremonially raise a rainbow flag on the pole during the rally.

The flag project is completely funded by private donations and fundraisers, including the annual Amazing High Heel Race, to be held this year on Saturday, June 16.

Visionnaire said:

This makes me feel kind of ashamed for my comments over on the lactose intolerance thread.....

Heard this on the radio and my first thought was: "Why don't they have a school like Frisco and NYC?"