News

This Hate Group is Protesting Harvey Milk Stamps

by L. Turner

The Christian and anti-gay American Family Association is protesting new Harvey Milk stamps by promising to turn away mail they receive with the stamp attached. Apparently the American Family Association still relies heavily on the use of snail mail for both sending and receiving messages, and they are very upset to see Milk, a renowned gay rights activist, have his place in history recognized by the U.S. Postal Service.

In a news release, the noxious group promised to turn away any mail they receive with the stamps, and encouraged others to do the same.

Harvey Milk was a very disreputable man and used his charm and power to prey on young boys with emotional problems and drug addiction. He is the last person we should be featuring on a stamp.

In fact, Milk was one of the first openly gay officials in America's history, serving as a member of San Francisco Board of Supervisors after being elected in 1977 — which was not exactly an easy time to be gay. Ten months later, Milk was assassinated along with the mayor, but not before ensuring the city's archaic ban on "sodomy" was repealed. When he was elected, he had this to say about his victory:

It's not my victory, it's yours and yours and yours. If a gay can win, it means there is hope that the system can work for all minorities if we fight. We've given them hope.

So sorry, AFA; Milk's place in America's history was cemented long before he was commemorated by USPS, and refusing mali with Milk's face on it isn't going to change that.

In fact, the best rebuttal to the AFA's insufferable news release is probably this message from Ronald Stroman, a deputy Postmaster General with USPS who said this at the dedication of Milk's stamp:

Let this stamp remind us of the fundamental truth behind Mr. Milk’s message — that we all have a stake in equality. Let this stamp inspire a new generation to continue Harvey Milk’s legacy — to keep working toward a world where prejudice gives way to acceptance, where division gives way to unity, and where fear gives way to hope.