Harvey Milk

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Harvey Milk's achievements extend far beyond his brief tenure in office. He was the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, a milestone that shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations. His posthumous receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 stands as a testament to his enduring impact on civil rights. The film Milk not only won critical acclaim but also brought his story to a global audience, earning two Academy Awards. His induction into the California Hall of Fame and the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor further cements his legacy as a pivotal figure in American history.

AwardsWhile Milk died before receiving many formal awards, his posthumous recognition has been extensive. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, the highest civilian honor in the United States. The 2008 biographical film Milk, which chronicled his life, won two Academy Awards: Best Actor for Sean Penn and Best Original Screenplay for Dustin Lance Black. Milk has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame and the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor. Various universities, including UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University, have awarded honorary degrees to Milk posthumously.

Honours & Distinctions

Presidential Medal of Freedom

United States Government·2009

Highest civilian honor awarded posthumously by President Barack Obama.

California Hall of Fame

State of California·2005

Induction for lifetime achievement and contribution to the state.

National LGBTQ Wall of Honor

National LGBTQ Wall of Honor·2015

Recognition for contributions to LGBTQ+ rights and history.

Honorary Degree

University of California, Berkeley·2008

Awarded posthumously for contributions to civil rights.

Key to the City

City of San Francisco·1979

Posthumous honor recognizing his service to the city.

Rankings & Lists

#48

TIME 100: The Most Important People of the 20th Century

TIME Magazine·2010

#48

The 50 Greatest Political Figures of the 20th Century

Rolling Stone·2006

HRC Heroes

Human Rights Campaign·2026

Magazine Covers

TIME

December 1978

The Martyr of Gay Rights

Vogue

2008

Retrospective on Harvey Milk

Rolling Stone

1977

Harvey Milk: The Mayor of Castro Street

Records & Feats

First Openly Gay Elected Official in California

Historic First·1977

Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man elected to public office in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.

Longest-Serving Openly Gay Supervisor (at the time)

Career Milestone·1978

Though his tenure was cut short by assassination, Milk served as the longest-serving openly gay supervisor in San Francisco history at the time of his death.