With an energy that reminded many old-time members of the club’s heyday, the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club held its 29th Annual Fundraising Dinner on May 24th at the Hotel Whitcomb. With a sold-out audience of 400 people, the Milk Club put on a stunning performance of speeches, awards and musical entertainment – emceed by Donna Sachet. While the Keynote Address by presidential candidate Mike Gravel won’t make waves on the national scene, the evening also featured Mike Jones, the male escort and massage therapist who outed right-wing evangelist Ted Haggard. But the Milk Club has always made its mark in local politics, as it awarded Supervisor Chris Daly for his longtime advocacy for progressive causes. And in playing its traditional role of “standard-bearer” for which local politicians can bear the progressive mantle, the Club heard from two candidates that night – Carole Migden and Mark Leno – who are running against each other in the upcoming State Senate race.

In the 1970’s, Harvey Milk founded the club because the queer political elite would not support a gay candidate running for public office. Harvey was too progressive for them, as he insisted that queers assert power for themselves rather than demand respect from others. He also urged the community to stand up for economic justice in solidarity with other marginalized people. After Harvey’s assassination in 1978, the club was renamed in his honor – and it continues to push for progressive politics within the queer community.


Brian Basinger

“One of the things I am trying to do for the Club is a set of common goals that are visible and measurable,” said Milk Club President Brian Basinger. “We are putting together the most comprehensive Queer Housing Plan for the unmet needs of our community. So that all queer people can call San Francisco home, and so that our city can continue to be the Queer mecca that it is.”

The Milk Club has always supported the struggles of queer people who are marginalized within their own communities, a common thread from the various awardees that night. Black lesbian Zwazzi Sowo was awarded for leading the boycott of Badlands – a gay bar that discriminated against African-American customers. Pride at Work’s Youth Organizing Project was awarded for organizing queer youth around economic justice issues.

Bisexual activist Lani Ka’Ahumanu was awarded for her leadership in making the “B” in LGBT heard, as she gave a highly entertaining speech about her political involvement in the 1980’s. The group “Mama’s Family” was awarded for its advocacy in the leather community. And transgender activist Alex Lee was awarded for his work fighting transgender discrimination in the criminal justice system.


Cecilia Chung

“When I first joined the Milk Club,” said Cecilia Chung, who introduced Alex Lee, “I couldn’t find a lot of transgenders.” After asking all transgenders at the Dinner to stand up, Chung then announced that she will be a candidate for Supervisor in District 11. “A lot of people don’t know that it was Dan White’s district,” said Chung, referring to the Supervisor who assassinated Harvey Milk. “It’s about changing history.”

But besides acknowledging groups that have been marginalized in the queer community, the Dinner was also about recognizing the Milk Club’s straight allies. Supervisor Chris Daly was given the Bill Kraus HIV/AIDS Award for his advocacy for AIDS funding, as well as his strong record for social justice. “This award rightfully belongs to the people who have been on the front lines,” said Daly.

In 1984, the Keynote Speaker at the Milk Club dinner was Walter Mondale’s daughter –when her father was the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. So when I heard that this year’s speaker would be Mike Gravel, a presidential candidate with zero chance of getting the nomination and who no one is taking seriously, I felt it was a sad statement of how the Club’s influence has declined.


Mike Gravel

But despite a few laughable comments – “I will be the next President; make no mistake about it” – Mike Gravel’s speech was precisely the type of fire-and-brimstone passion that progressives wish that all presidential candidates were saying. “I am embarrassed about what’s going in Congress,” said Gravel in reference to the Iraq War funding. “There are presidential candidates who want to be your leaders, but can’t show leadership where it counts. Leadership to end the War.”

The Milk Club has never been a “player” in presidential politics, so the fact that they could only get Mike Gravel to speak should not reflect too poorly. While the Club once had Walter Mondale’s daughter as the Keynote Speaker, it’s important to note that her dad lost 49 states that year. When it comes to getting national attention, the Milk Club has been more about attracting queer leaders – not mainstream politicians.

And the best speaker of the night was Mike Jones, the gay escort and massage therapist who exposed right-wing evangelist Ted Haggard. “This is much better than being called a whore and a drug dealer,” said Jones, as he accepted an award from the Milk Club.


Mike Jones

Jones said that he was compelled to speak out when Ted Haggard’s church sported a banner in support of an anti-gay marriage amendment in Colorado. “Ted Haggard now says that he hates his past that is ‘repulsive and dark,’” said Jones. “But I am not repulsive and neither are you, and he is in denial!” The crowd applauded loudly.

There was inevitable drama at the dinner this year with Carole Migden and Mark Leno, two queer politicians who have a long history with the Club and are running against each other for State Senate. Both candidates were given a chance to speak. (Full disclosure: I personally support Mark Leno.)

It was Migden’s first major public appearance since her car accident on May 18th, and her announcement on May 23rd that she has battled leukemia for ten years. “I want to thank you for the outpouring of support,” said Migden. “I feel like I’ve had a second coming-out. I was lucky to be the recipient of miraculous new medicine.”


Carole Migden

For this crowd of political insiders, Migden’s confession that her medication may have caused the car accident was seen as a bold acknowledgement of mortality and surviving the odds. But it’s still unclear if the general public will be that forgiving. Some have said that driving under the influence – whether from alcohol or medication – is still a public danger.

“I will always be there to help what’s needed,” said Migden in a very powerful and feisty speech. “It’s not to help the rich and powerful – they can take care of themselves. My agenda is to protect us from Arnold-ism,” as she decried Schwarzenegger’s shameful legacy of prison construction and cuts in public transportation.

Migden’s call against “Arnold-ism” was a sharp contrast from her rhetoric in the April 11th debate with Leno. Back then, Migden said that Leno’s legislative goals like same-sex marriage and repeal of the car tax were great, but the Governor was going to veto them anyway. “We should put our energy into places where we can make gains,” she said then.


Mark Leno

Mark Leno began his remarks by talking about affordable housing. “Let’s make sure all our presidential candidates talk about housing,” he said, as he decried the federal housing cuts under the Bush Administration. Leno spoke about the need for single-payer health care, Ellis Act reform, and helping foster care children that “we have failed.” He also spoke about global warming, and deftly tied it with global poverty.

It’s difficult to see where the Milk Club will stand on the Migden-Leno race, an election that is still more than a year away. While Migden served as Club President in 1983, both candidates have a long history with the Club. The Dinner was an important chance for each candidate to present their case – an event that neither could afford to miss.

One candidate who could afford to miss it was Tom Ammiano, who is currently running unopposed for Leno’s seat in the State Assembly. As a regular fixture at these Dinners, Ammiano was unable to attend because of a prior family engagement on the East Coast. But there is no doubt that the Milk Club will enthusiastically endorse his candidacy -- given his long relationship with Club members.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Paul Hogarth is an active member and former officer of the Harvey Milk Club. As a private citizen, he has endorsed Mark Leno for State Senate but does not play an advisory role in the campaign. Send feedback to paul@beyondchron.org