English 2850/Diversity - LGBTQ Studies
Reflection: Milk
In the following paper for the English 2850/Diversity/LGBTQ Studies course we were assigned to read a text or watch a film which may have had content having to do with the LGBTQ community. We were supposed to summarize the text also address and discuss the main points that were taught throughout the course such as theories (queer theory), discussions had in class based on the textbook and/or novels, as well as personal experience. While writing this paper I went back to notes, summarizations and the textbook in order to refresh my memory on the material taught over the semester to make sure I understood what I was going to be talking about in the paper and how to measure up the text against the material. The paper illustrates what I learned by discussing the use of the characters in order to convey the filmmaker's/screenwriters points as far as queering the way people think and getting people out of the "norm" way of thinking. The discussion of the stereotypes was one of the other things discussed throughout the semester. I took a lot away from this course. The LGBTQ Studies class made me realize how many people in this world are so close minded and not willing to learn about or accept those different from them. Transgender and Transsexuality were both things I wasn't really knowledgable about before this class, it surprised me to learn that the LGBTQ community hasn't always been the most accepting to Transgenders or Transsexuals. The class makes you open your eyes and realize how much is based on your sexuality and gender in society, it was a wonderful eye opener.
Final Paper: Milk
A late night in a New York subway station, Harvey Milk meets Scott Smith on Milk’s birthday. They begin a relationship and decide the city isn’t for them. Smith and Milk pack up to move to San Francisco. As the couple gets to San Francisco and begin to settle in, they buy a camera shop on Castro Street. Milk began getting involved with other stores who were welcoming to him and any others who accepted gays and lesbians. Stores in the area couldn’t afford to be unwelcoming towards the gay and lesbian community and typically those who were on Castro Street would be shut down due to lack of business if they weren’t accepting. After being in Haight-Ashbury for sometime he got involved with politics. After his third try, in 1977 Milk became the first openly gay elected official. Around the same time Milk became elected as supervisor, Anita Bryant spearheaded the “Save Our children campaign” (a repeal local gay rights ordinance). Dan White (fellow supervisor) and Milk developed a working relationship, almost looking like allies. Milk and White discussed supporting each other on some issues. White’s wanted prevention of a hospital would have a negative effect so Milk voted did not vote for the prevention, in turn White supported proposition 6 (being the only one). Proposition 6 in California would ban anyone who was homosexual from being part of the public school system. The relationship grew bitter. Dan White resigned from his supervisor position when pay raises weren’t supported, not long after White came to ask Mayor Mascone for his position back, he was denied his request. November 27, 1978, Dan White shows up at City Hall where he kills Mayor Mascone and Harvey Milk. Thousands attend a candle light vigil, walking through the streets of the city.
Harvey Milk did a lot to help out the LGBTQ community. Although, he couldn’t focus solely on the LGBTQ community, he made sure to fight against anything that would be negative such as, Proposition 6 which made gay men out to be pedophiles and make it seem as though schools were a way for homosexuals to “recruit” young kids into becoming homosexual. The film showed Harvey Milk as a politician and man who knew what he was doing and what needed to be done. Many people may had a problem with the fact that he was a gay politician however, there were those that made up for that and realized he was fighting for the entire Haight-Ashbury community. Milk made himself out to be the people’s politician; he concerned himself with problems faced by senior citizens as well as union workers. It may not be the most ideal way for someone or a community to become a little bit more accepted but by Milk helping those that may not be the most tolerant illustrated there isn’t anything wrong with this person or anyone who is homosexual. His actions in office were nothing but respectable, courageous and determined. Harvey Milk helped shine a great light on the LGBTQ community.
The characters had a big part to play in the theoretical aspects of the movie. One of the things I enjoyed about the portrayal of the characters was the fact that the gay men weren’t all put in the stereotypical category. For instance, Scott Smith who was Milk’s first partner in the film, he isn’t really what most people in society would call “feminine” or assume him to be gay. I enjoy the portrayal so much because of the idea in society being that people can tell when someone is homosexual by the way they carry themselves, their hair cut, the way they dress, etc. It challenges the societal norm and conveys to people although there is a stereotype it doesn’t mean everyone fits into it. Dan White was a democrat elected in 1977 to the Board of Supervisors from District 8. He was Catholic and married with a child. Throughout the film, there are comments made implying that Dan White may be gay. This also seems to be a way of going against the norm, for the simple facts that he is married, catholic and has a kid and because of those things everyone would automatically assume he’s heterosexual. However, many people don’t realize there are people who do get married and have kids in order to help suppress their homosexual desires.
Jack being another character who I found to be interesting. The first time he appeared was in front of the camera shop and he was really drunk which somewhat signified he may have or had some hard times. He was very vulnerable and insecure. In one scene Milk made a comment to Dan White about all but one of his lover’s had tried to commit suicide and shortly after the scene with Dan White, Jack is found in Harvey’s apartment where he had hung himself. Although, it was a true event it seemed like it needed to be there because it wasn’t only sad and traumatic but it was a way of illustrating that people, not only in the LGBT community but everywhere, can be hurt by someone else’s actions as well as your words. After Dade County repealed the non-discrimination ordinance, Harvey Milk received a phone call. The phone call was from a boy in Minnesota who told Milk his parents were planning on taking him to a hospital so he could “get well”. The kid said he was planning on taking his own life. When Milk told him to leave Minnesota, the boy told him that he was in a wheelchair and couldn’t do anything about it then hung up. However, after a big victory Milk gets a call from that boy from Minnesota again and the boy tells him everything is fine and he’s now in California. The use of this character and scene also seems to try and get the point across that there may be hard times with friends and family however, there’s always a way to get through them.
I really enjoy this story, movie and learning about Milk. The movie was really accurate from the research I’ve done on Harvey Milk. He seemed to be an amazing person and great politician. He helped everyone that he could and was passionate in everything he did. Milk made an impact on many. He especially made an impact on the LGBTQ community. It was amazing to see the footage of the people who walked the streets in Harvey Milk’s honor the night he was assassinated. His slogan was “My name is Harvey Milk and I’m here to recruit you,” and that he always did.