The question remains, does Milk do a body good? That seems to be the question, as we continue to receive mixed messages from Sacramento surrounding Harvey Milk’s significance, not only in California, but across the nation.

Last year, we witnessed Milk’s posthumous rise to worldwide fame in the Oscar award-winning movie based on his life. Milk was not only an American politician, but the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Troubling word, however, was received last week that the governor may be considering opposing the Harvey Milk Day bill once again. To that, we must say: Milk does a body good, governor!

As a community, we must show a groundswell of support to ensure the significance of Harvey Milk’s legacy is not written out of California history books.

The governor’s secretary of education recently sent a letter opposing the bill that reads:

“As you know, the Governor vetoed a substantially similar bill last year. The veto message stated that Harvey Milk’s contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions. Since this bill is nearly identical, the veto message remains applicable.”

The Secretary of Education is wrong. Last year’s veto message is no longer applicable. Earlier this month, President Obama posthumously honored Milk with the Medal of Freedom, our country’s highest civilian honor – a testament to the fact that Harvey Milk is a national and international hero. And earlier this year, the governor acknowledged that Milk’s contributions affected all Californians when his administration honored Milk for his work fighting discrimination in the State of California.

We urge the community to call one of the governor’s district offices and express support for SB 572, the Harvey Milk Day Bill.

Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) responded to First Lady Maria Shriver’s announcement that the late San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk will be inducted into California’s Hall of Fame later this year, stating his induction recognizes the important leadership role Milk played in our state and nation and further illustrates the historic and international nature of his legacy.

We agree with Sen. Leno and appreciate the First Lady’s support and admiration for Milk’s work to further equal civil rights for all people. He gave his life for what he believed in, and in doing so gave hope to generations of GLBT Californians who continue to struggle for full equality. This honor, as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to Harvey by President Obama, should underscore to the governor the need for Harvey Milk Day in California.

Sen. Leno is the author of the Senate Bill 572, which creates Harvey Milk Day in California. The bill is waiting to be heard on the Assembly floor. We hope that he will return it with his signature when it reaches his desk in the next few weeks.

We urge you to write to the governor and let him know what Harvey Milk means to you.

Whether you are reading this locally in San Diego or in Palm Springs, on the Web in the Central Valley, northern California, or across the nation, let the governor know that Milk was a GLBT hero who truly changed the world and is worthy of a state day of special significance.

We haven’t let last year’s veto deter us, and have this year introduced SB 572, which would establish May 22 each year as Harvey Milk Day. With the film Milk and the help of its star Sean Penn we have seen great momentum, but we also need your help! Tell the governor your story about how Harvey has affected your life, and why everyone in all corners of the Golden State needs heroes.

Our opponents are already telling the governor to veto this historic bill once more. Anti-GLBT extremists won’t stop with Prop 8! They’re trying to take away all our rights and make sure pro-equality legislation never passes again.

We will not be erased from the history books, and we will not go back in the closet. When we honor Harvey Milk, we are honoring the contributions of all GLBT people and providing positive role models for our youth.

Visit www.gov.ca.gov, and write a letter to make your voice heard.