PERSON: Stuart Milk

Harvey Milk Foundation

Co founder & President

Stuart Milk is an international human rights activist, LGBT rights speaker, government relations consultant, and youth advocate. He is the co founder and Board President of the all volunteer Harvey Milk Foundation. As the nephew of Harvey Milk, the iconic civil rights leader, Stuart has taken his uncle message of authenticity, example of courage and the power of collaboration onto the global stage supporting local, regional and national human rights struggles and emerging LGBT communities on five continents.

Stuart successfully led campaigns for the establishment of the now annual Harvey Milk Day holiday in California and Milks’ induction into the California Hall of Fame and he accepted on behalf of his uncle the highest civilian honor in the US, the Medal of Freedom, from President Barack Obama. Stuart continues to lead efforts to have the legacy of Harvey Milk taught in public schools, memorialized on buildings, LGBT Centers, monuments and parks. He is a regular commentary contributor for the Huffington Post and can be seen frequently on international broadcasts by the BBC, SKY news as well as national and local broadcast television in the US.

Mr. Milk has worked with and alongside local and national LGBT organizations on six continents in both official matters with legislative and governmental entities as well as in capacity building events and demonstrations. He has been an official delegate abroad on Human Rights issues and often serves as a representative and liaison for formal and informal dialogue with foreign policy leaders. He frequently gives major keynote addresses at political conferences and conventions, international congresses, LGBT pride events, public demonstrations and parades, film and educational festivals, equality summits, and NGO and non-profit capacity building fundraising events.

Stuart has led collaborative international congresses on minority inclusion, diversity education, and workplace acceptance. Having over two decades of leadership experience in both public and private workforce programs, he often consults with business and community organizations finding the intersection of economic growth and social progress. Stuart has been recognized with numerous awards including Spain’s Muestra T’ award, Italy’s Medal of Turin, Hachamat Lev Award from Keshet/Jewish Mosaic and California’s Equality Champion as one of the most tireless volunteer advocates of a globally inclusive LGBTI rights movement. Stuart also serves on the boards of Equality California, Marriage Equality USA, the International Conference on Disadvantaged Youth, AFER, he co-chairs the Annual International Summit on the Intersection of Human Rights and Economic Prosperity and he Chairs the Beyond Tolerance Global initiative.

— milkfoundation.org/