The Times of Harvey Milk, an Oscar winning documentary about the murder of San Francisco politicians Harvey Milk (first gay office holder in the nation) and Mayor George Moscone,seems to be making a come-back. Even though the story happened in 1978 and is thirty years old, the drama is still fresh and startling.

I was pleased and honored to be included by director Rob Epstein as one of the interviewees in the film. I must admit, the experience was humbling and daunting— since none of the friends and neighbors of Harvey were allowed to talk about the murders after they happened, due to a gag order imposed by the court, I had never grieved and "processed" all that had happened. Then several years later, to be asked to recount old Harvey Milk stories and remember that day: where I was, what I did, and the candlelight march to City Hall...was difficult, yet somehow liberating.

Director Rob Epstein has a gentle manner and elicited the wonderful interviews from all who participated in the movie. If this story of murder and politics is new to you, rent or buy The Times of Harvey Milk. It truly is a must-see. Yes, boys and girls, not only did the Twinkie Defense really happen, it actually worked! Dan White, the man who shot two innocent people, a mayor and a supervisor, in cold blood that day in San Francisco's city hall and then confessed that same day to police officers, only received a seven year sentence for manslaughter.

What you may not know…

Like a Greek tragedy or a heartrending opera, the dreadful saga of the murders at city hall did not end. Former firefighter and cop Dan White, Milk and Moscone’s convicted murderer, came out of prison sixty months later to a less than hearty welcome. The same people who earlier pumped their fists in the air and said things like, “Go get ‘em Danny” and “Right on, Danny, glad you got the fag and the fag-loving mayor,” didn’t flock to his side when he returned home.

Who would want this murderer in their home? Who would give him a job? Without work and a purpose to his life, a deep depression descended on Dan White.

Then one foggy morning, White sat in his car and played tapes of Irish music, hooked up the garden hose to his vehicle, and fed the dangerous gases into the cab. The tragedy continued... a wife became a widow... beautiful children, fatherless.

And for those who knew them all, Milk, Moscone, and White, the hurt will never end.

Display at the GLBT museum includes the blood-stained clothing worn by Harvey Milk the day he was murdered.