Speaking to Change 

Human Rights Advocate Stuart Milk Will Address Global LGBT+ Issues

Stuart Milk, left, follows in the footsteps of his famous uncle, gay rights activist Harvey Milk '51, who was assassinated in 1978.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 25, 2018) — By refusing to hide his true self, Harvey Milk a 1951 graduate of UAlbany, became a spokesperson and icon for gay rights in the 1970s. Now his nephew, Stuart Milk, is following in his uncle’s footsteps by showing the LGBT+ community that they have the power to make monumental waves of change.

On Oct. 25, Milk will visit UAlbany to give a lecture on “Global LGBT+ Rights and the Power of Your Story.” Courtney D’Allaird, coordinator of the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, is elated to have Milk bringing this conversation to campus.

“We are deeply honored to have Stuart Milk visiting campus this week,” D’Allaird said. “Stuart is coming back to a campus truly transformed in how it connects and empowers LGBTQ+ students. Stuart’s visit and talk on Thursday is in many ways a call to further our understanding beyond the local to that of the global needs surrounding these identities and communities.”

Stuart is an international human rights activist and youth advocate as well as the co-founder and executive chair of the Harvey Milk Foundation. Like his uncle – an activist and city supervisor in San Francisco who was assassinated along with the mayor in 1978 – Stuart Milk’s mission is to continue to spread the message of courage and authenticity to all as well as advocating for civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Harvey and Stuart understand the power that telling our stories has to transform hearts and minds,” D’Allaird added. “I don’t doubt that that’s exactly what will happen Thursday, as attendees will get to hear the stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ people around the world and the tremendous work the Milk Foundation is doing to get those stories out and to be part of the change.”

The event will take place on Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m. in the Standish Board Room in the Science Library. Attendance is free and those interested are asked to register in advance.

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