Harvey Milk Foundation Joins With Hungary for Budapest Pride

Sacramento, CA - The Harvey Milk Foundation, a leading organization that promotes Harvey Milk's legacy through education and outreach announced that it will participate in Budapest's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride with the march's opening speech on equality and the importance for the LGBT community in Hungary to persevere through the country's challenging political climate.

The speech will begin at 3 PM (CET) on Sat., June 18 at Heroes Square on Andr�ssy Avenue - a well-known boulevard in Budapest.

Stuart Milk, co-Founder and President of the Harvey Milk Foundation and nephew of Harvey Milk, will address the current development of a new constitution in Hungary which has been criticized by human rights groups for limiting non-discrimination protections and prohibiting same sex marriage.

"My Uncle, Harvey Milk literally gave his life over three decades ago to obtain equality, inclusion, and acceptance - his legacy offers an example of determination and hope for nations, like Hungary, that are now faced with similar resistance," said Stuart Milk.

"The Harvey Milk Foundation is honored to be participating in Budapest Pride because the celebration, by being both historically and currently relevant, continues to bring together human and LGBT rights advocates to encourage a new paradigm that ends separation, connects our communities, and enables us all to reach our full potential."

The foundation is working with the Rainbow Mission Foundation and other Budapest Pride organizers on the march and other weekend events. The Foundation issued a statement to recognize Budapest's efforts to host Pride events despite ongoing opposition to the demonstration.

"It is important for the entire LGBT global community to know that they are not alone in the struggles for both legal and societal equality. The challenge of equality is a global struggle, as homophobia does not stop at national borders, hate does not stop at continental divides, and discrimination is not stopped by oceans. This vital and important human rights work can only achieve success when we work together in collaboration and pull each other up to the summit of full respect and dignity for all LGBT people."

Stuart has been working with world leaders for several years to motivate advocates on using Harvey's universal story of courage and the strong legacy he created as the first openly gay official of a major elected office. Work this year by the Foundation includes co-hosting a conference for school educators and councilors on how to support LGBT youth and prevent teen suicides - the conference was based in San Diego, California .

Stuart also ventured on a speaking tour of Italian Cities with Equality Italia to spread Harvey's message of "hope" and to educate political leaders on the importance of fully inclusive equality.

The Harvey Milk Foundation, established in 2010 as a non-profit charitable organization, promotes Harvey Milk's legacy through education and outreach. Harvey Milk (1930-1978) was the first openly gay elected official in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was assassinated in San Francisco's City Hall in November 1978. The Foundation is lead and founded by Harvey's nephew, Stuart Milk, and Anne Kronenberg, Harvey's campaign manager and political aide.

To learn more, please visit: www.MilkFoundation.org .