US Postal Service Approve Harvey Milk Stamp

Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.

Officials from the Harvey Milk Foundation took to Facebook on Thursday to confirm that the U.S. Postal Service has approved a stamp, honoring LGBT icon Harvey Milk and his legacy, Gay Politics reports.

Milk was the first openly gay man to win political office in California when he was elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977. He will now be the first out gay politician to be on a U.S. stamp.

Milk's nephew, Stuart Milk, first made the announcement on his Facebook, writing:

"Breaking! It is official! The USPS will confirm this week that my uncle, Harvey Milk will be commemorated on a 2014 US postage stamp," the post reads. "Another first! My deep gratitude to everyone that supported this effort! More details including the image to come via USPS soon! 'Hope Will Never Be Silent' and that enduring message of hope will be on millions of letters represented by Harvey's image!"

According to Gay Politics, Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute said, "Harvey Milk's legacy is alive and well. His historic run paved the way for a new generation of LGBT leaders who can be open and honest about who they are, and it's encouraging to see the U.S. Postal Service honoring his legacy of perseverance and pride today."

Stuart Milk, who is the president and founder of the Milk Foundation, made a statement to the Huffington Post regarding the groundbreaking stamp.

"On behalf of the Milk family and the Harvey Milk Foundation, we are thrilled that our campaign for the stamp has succeeded and we thank all our partners including the USPS in this effort," he said. "Harvey's story, example and courage continues to inspire across the globe and the issuance of the first U.S. postage stamp for an openly LGBT in my uncle's name will not only educate but will provide hope, hope that is still critically needed today."


by Jason St. Amand , National News Editor

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