harvey milk - the background

i have not yet seen the new film about harvey milk, but have been preparing by reading up about the real person. follow the link to read the guardian version of his story here. an excerpt:

"California's reactionary Proposition 8, which recently rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, recalls a similar ballot initiative that was faced down by Milk and his constituents in the years before his death. Moreover, as liberal hero, political pioneer and potential assassination target, Milk resembles no one so much as the US president-elect. Subjected to increasingly violent death threats as his public career flourished, Milk recorded on tape who he wanted to succeed him if he were killed, adding: "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.""