Our Story
How it Started
San Diego
The USNS Harvey Milk Lives! National Campaign was started by youth advocate Richard Lee, inspired after attending the San Diego press conference protesting the removal of Harvey Milk's name from the USNS ship. In collaboration with Human Relations Commission Chair Nicole Murray Ramirez, a renowned, trailblazing activist with a long history of advocacy, Robert Leyh, a leading figure in San Diego's LGBT community, and Bob Lehman, a pioneering LGBT military rights advocate, the campaign began to take shape to preserve and promote Harvey Milk's legacy nationwide.
Expanding Beyond
After grassroots efforts began in San Diego, home to the original commissioning of the USNS Harvey Milk, momentum fervently spread across the nation. With honorary chairs including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and prominent figures like Cleve Jones, founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the campaign to preserve Harvey Milk's legacy gained powerful support coast to coast. With over fifteen leaders of both honorary and state chairs, the USNS Harvey Milk Lives! campaign is mobilizing a national movement to protect Harvey Milk's enduring legacy.
National Campaign Relevant Media
