Arnold Vetoes Bill Honouring LGBT Icon.

Yesterday, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that “would have made the birthday of LGBT political icon Harvey Milk a statewide ‘day of significance.’” Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in 1978.



Schwarzenegger, who opposes efforts to ban same-sex marriage in the state, explained his veto by saying that he believes Milk should “be recognized at the local level.” The AP notes that conservative groups had lobbied the governor to oppose the measure:

In his veto message issued Tuesday, the governor said that while he respected the measure’s intent, he thinks Milk’s “contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level.”

Conservative groups had lobbied Schwarzenegger not to sign the legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Leno of San Francisco.

Milk, was the first openly gay man to hold a prominent political office in America. In November, Gus Van Sant’s upcoming biopic of of the icon will be released. Click here to watch the trailer.