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Harvey Milk Celebration, Block Party + Free Castro Theatre Movie Day (2023)

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Sunday, May 21, 2023 - 1:00 pm to 3:05 pm | Cost: FREE
Castro Theatre | 429 Castro St., San Francisco, CA

Event Details

Come celebrate Harvey Milk Day on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Jane Warner Plaza #inthecastro!

As the 93rd birthday of Harvey Milk approaches, the Castro district is preparing to commemorate the life and enduring legacy of the “Mayor of Castro Street.” On Saturday, May 20, 2023, a vibrant day of celebration, education, activism, and community will take place, and we are pleased to invite all to collaborate with us.

The Harvey Milk Day Coalition, comprised of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, the Castro Community Benefit District, the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, and the Castro Merchants Association, is joining forces to honor this extraordinary individual who played an integral role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights.

The festivities will commence at 2pm and continue until 5pm in the heart of the Castro district, showcasing the strength and unity of our community, while paying homage to the indelible mark left by Harvey Milk. Throughout the afternoon, attendees will be treated to live music from DJ nico, one of San Francisco’s hottest DJs.

Special event highlights:
3PM: Queer Chorus of San Francisco — attendees will be treated to live music and performances by the renowned Queer Chorus of San Francisco, setting the stage for a joyous celebration of diversity and inclusion.
3:15PM: Engaging speakers and esteemed elected officials will share their insights and reflections on Harvey Milk’s impact and continued relevance.
3:30PM: Drag Story Hour, an enchanting and inclusive experience that fosters a love for reading, education, and acceptance, will captivate and inspire attendees of all ages.

The event promises a wide array of activities and performances that pay tribute to Harvey Milk’s remarkable life and legacy.

Free Movies at the Castro

The Times of Harvey Milk & The Ruth Brinker Story

12:30pm – Doors Open
1:00pm – David Hegarty, Castro Theatre Organist
1:15pm – 2:45pm – The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) 1h 30m
2:45pm – 3:05pm – The Ruth Brinker Story (2022) 23m

About “The Times of Harvey Milk”

A true twentieth-century trailblazer, Harvey Milk was an outspoken human rights activist and one of the first openly gay U.S. politicians elected to public office; even after his assassination in 1978, he continues to inspire disenfranchised people around the world. The Oscar-winning The Times of Harvey Milk, directed by Robert Epstein and produced by Richard Schmiechen, was as groundbreaking as its subject. One of the first feature documentaries to address gay life in America, it’s a work of advocacy itself, bringing Milk’s message of hope and equality to a wider audience. This exhilarating trove of original documentary material and archival footage is as much a vivid portrait of a time and place (San Francisco’s historic Castro District in the seventies) as a testament to the legacy of a political visionary.

About “The Ruth Brinker Story”
At the age of 63, retired food-service worker Ruth Brinker became a pioneer of HIV care in her community and would become a legend among San Franciscans. The AIDS epidemic hit San Francisco the hardest and created a wave of fear and uncertainty that left many victims feeling hopeless and alone. Brinker, a woman whose deep compassion became a source of strength for others struggling to cope with the times, began cooking meals in her kitchen to deliver to her neighbors who were too ill to take care of themselves. Her goal was to not only provide meals but to also revitalize the city’s sense of community and spend time with HIV/AIDS patients to end the isolation they experienced. Providing meals with love became the hallmark of her mission. The work of Brinker and her growing team of volunteers led to Project Open Hand, the largest provider of nutrition to the HIV/AIDS community with sister organizations across the country. Ruth Brinker’s legacy carries on today as Project Open Hand has once again joined the frontlines in facing the crisis of the COVID19 pandemic.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE
Categories: *Top Pick*, In Person, LGBTQ+, Movies, Political Activism
Address: 429 Castro St., San Francisco, CA