About 25 people gathered at the Legacy of Love Monument on Tuesday night for Dallas’ first-ever Harvey Milk Day celebration, organized by GetEQUAL TX. With dusk fading to dark, participants shielded their candles from gusty winds as they held vigil to mark the 82nd birthday of the gay rights pioneer who twice called Big D home. Speakers read selections from the play Dear Harvey and led the crowd in song through a megaphone. Balloons tied to the monument were released into the air at the end of the 40-minute celebration, following a rendition of “Happy Birthday.” More photos below.
I hope this event grows in the future, but FYI “balloon release” is an outdated event gimmick that today is seen as littering and environmentally insensitive.
I read in an older post from the Dallas Voice that Harvey Milk had worked in Dallas, specifically the Continental Building downtown. That building is currently being renovated into apartments that will open in 2013 and will most likely feature a community space that can be used for events. I believe this building should be the setting (or at least play a role in) future Harvey Milk Day celebrations since it was an actual place that he spent time in. Organizers interested should contact Forest City Enterprises which owns Mercantile Place downtown.