SAN FRANCISCO — The results of a poll commissioned by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce last month and published Friday showed that a majority of the city’s residents oppose renaming San Francisco International Airport after slain gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk.
The poll found that only 31 percent of likely voters supported the change, while 61 percent were opposed.
Harvey Milk
The poll found that opposition came from all demographics of the city, including those who reside in Milk’s former district in the Castro, where support barely cracked 50 percent. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, only 45 percent of respondents who identified as LGBT supported the idea.
The Chronicle reported that some have suggested that Supervisor David Campos’ airport renaming effort is in part a move to increase his profile and fundraising in advance of a run for state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano’s seat. But poll respondents in that Assembly district also broadly oppose the plan, with 58 percent against compared with 36 percent in favor.
Campos estimated that renaming the airport would cost between $50,000 and $250,000.
“[Milk] is the most important figure in the history of the LGBT community, and he played such a critical role in modern San Francisco politics,” said Supervisor Scott Weiner, who represents Milk’s former district, and co-sponsors Campos’s bill.
“San Francisco has always been at the forefront of the fight for LGBT equality, and so people come here from around the country and around the world because of that, and for 40 million people a year to land at Harvey Milk International Airport sends an incredible message to the world,” Weiner told the Chronicle.Jim Lazarus, the chamber’s senior vice president for public policy, said opposition is “fairly broad-based” and that “there should be a better way to honor the memory of Harvey Milk.”
Anne Kronenberg, Milk’s former political aide noted that media attention about the idea has mostly been negative and public opinion won’t truly be formed until the issue is vetted at the board.
Besides, she said, the legislation would only put the issue before voters.
The poll was conducted among 500 San Francisco voter in February by David Binder Research for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Margin of error is +/- 4.4%.
Milk was one of the first openly gay politicians to be elected to public office when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He and Mayor George Moscone were shot and killed by former Supervisor Dan White at City Hall on Nov. 27, 1978.
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Why not just make a new airport?
ask them if they would rather name it after bill o’reilly or michele bachman , or sarah palin im sure there would be a landslide of yes
Is that a sign that San Francisco is not a gay mecca anymore?
C’mon, San Francisco, you’re supposed to be liberal.
Maybe it has nothing to do with homophobia o.O Ever think that maybe some just wanna keep the original name that’s been there for years?
no i just think its a sign that they are all cowards and only care about how much money it would cost either that or they just dont think harvey milk is fabulous enough so they are waiting for them to rename the airport after barbara or judy or liza im sure that will go over very well and very fast.
Deaven, the article states that opposition came from all demographics in the city. I found that part interesting. Honestly, after seeing how much it would cost, I would oppose it too. Harvey Milk was a great person, RIP, but it seems too costly a project to do when the economy is still shaky.
San Francisco is too gay for that liberal shit. Anything Liberal they don’t have time for that!
he was a controversial leader… some say an assimilationist…I would rather they re-name Castro St to “Harvey Milk Blvd”
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From what I read online, San Francisco has paid homage to Milk with the Harvey Milk Plaza and Harvey Milk Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Democratic Club. I’m not familiar with the San Francisco area myself, so if I’m wrong, I’m totally sorry lol. I also read that New York has a Harvey Milk high school ” a school for at-risk youth that concentrates on the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students.” I think that’s great and think there should be more programs like that around the country.
I truly admire Mr. Milk and totally support gay causes (I have a gay son), however, I prefer that San Francisco’s airport continue to wear the name of San Francisco and no other.
Really people why are people mad about this the Harvey milk airport… That sounds Fucking stupid build the guy a statue on Castro street of u want a memorial
Put up a statue in front of the camera shop he started.
dislike!
Perhaps we need a NEW airport in Milk’s name!
The majority of people who oppose it are a bunch of typical homophobic ignorant breeders!!
He was a nartyr for civil rights as much as MLK or anyone!! He deserves this and more!
I think it would be an amazing thing for San Francisco to name it in Harvey’s memory to send a message to the world that it is truly the epicenter of the gay movement started by Harvey that has spread from there to every nook and cranny of the US due to this great man.