Harvey Milk Plaza

A place to remember…

Muni is the main transportation for San Franciscans. Every single day I take the public transportation to go from work to school and vice versa. I’m very familiar with the bus stops and muni stations except the Castro station. Four different rail lines (K, L, M and F) and three bus lines (24, 35 and 33) pass through Harvey Milk Plaza. During rush hours the bus stops and Muni stations are filled with working class crowd and students as they headed to work, home and school. As the bus driver unloads the bus, passengers head out while the new passengers head in. Nobody including me takes the time to look around and appreciate the beauty around us. However, one day I saw a gay couple from Florida with their camera on taking pictures of the plaques in the wall. My curiosity took over me so I approached the couples and they told me about the Harvey Milk Plaza. I felt so embarrassed that I work in the Castro for 5 years and didn’t know about this iconic plaza. They told me that it isn’t just me but some outsiders didn’t know either. However, gay tourists around the world make a pilgrimage to this place every time they visit San Francisco. So I want to share my experiences to you as I visited this place and remember a great man who touched our heart in so many ways. For those who don’t know about Harvey Milk, here’s a brief background about him. 

Early 1970s, Harvey Milk opened a camera store on the block of Castro Street between 18th and 19th streets. The store became the center for his campaign to run for Broad Supervisor. Milk was elected in 1977 and serve as an openly gay supervisor. Milk hadn’t served a full year of his term before he and Mayor George Moscone were killed at the City Hall. Tension had been building up between Milk and Dan White due to opposite beliefs regarding political issues. White was also a supervisor but he resigned due to unknown reason and Mayor Moscone refused to reinstate him. White assassinated Mayor Moscone and supervisor Milk due to his frustration and he believed Milk was the reason he couldn’t get his seat back. Milk's assassination shocked the gay community. In order to honor his memory, Harvey Milk Plaza was established in order to remember his legacy. 

The plaza was named after Milk to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his election to the office. A symbolic place in the Castro that honors a great man, Harvey Milk Plaza is situated in the entrance of the Muni subway station. A large rainbow flag is visible miles away as its colors shine through the light. This rainbow flag has 8 stripes – Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Turquoise, Blue and Purple. The flag flies 24 hours a day and can be seen from the Ferry Building and Twin Peaks. A plaque at the base of the flagpole lists the names of past and present openly gay and lesbian state and local officials. In addition, pictures of former supervisor Milk hang against the gate rails near the base of the flagpole. The pictures show the happiest moments when he won the election and contribution he did for the community.

I think it is relevant to know this part of history because the Castro has been the inspiration to all gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders all over the world. Furthermore, we have openly gay broad of supervisor and city councilman currently serving in the office because Milk made it possible for them to serve San Franciscans. The plaza is the remembrance of Milk’s contributions to the community and an inspiration for all. Honoring and remembering him is the only tribute we can do to honor his memory so come and visit the plaza.