In a first, the United States Postal Service will celebrate openly gay human rights campaigner Harvey Milk.

Harvey Milk made history by being elected as a City Councillor to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was the first elected public office holder to openly identify as a gay man in the United States.

Milk had previously served in the US Navy before moving to San Francisco and as businessman and opening a camera and photo developing store, whilst being human rights advocate and campaigner.

His term was sadly cut short though. Just a year into office he was shot and killed, along with the Mayor of San Francisco George Moscone, in City Hall by Dan White, a fellow City Supervisor.

A black and white portrait photo of Harvey Milk appears on the stamps together with the colours of the LGBT pride flag. The photograph was taken in front of Harvey Milk’s Castro Street Camera store in San Francisco in the 1970s.

Appropriately USPS will release the stamp to public sale on May 22nd, Harvey Milk Day. The stamp’s official first-day-of-issue ceremony will also take place May 22nd at the White House.

In 2009, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

Readers can order the Harvey Milk stamp now before the official release date of May 22nd through the USPS link for delivery following issuance.

Links:

• Harvey Milk Foundation
• Postal Service Reveals Harvey Milk Stamp Image
• USPS internet shop: Harvey Milk stamp pre-order