Supervisor Drums Up Support For Renaming SFO After Harvey Milk
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - A San Francisco supervisor has been trying to drum up support for a ballot measure that would rename San Francisco International Airport after gay rights icon Harvey Milk.
Supervisor David Campos said naming SFO after Milk would send a message "that LGBT people are worthy of respect" to the 44 million travelers who pass through the airport each year.
"We have more than 80 airports in this country alone that are named after individuals. And not a single one of those airports is named after an openly LGBT person," Campos said.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
Effort Underway To Rename SFO After Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk
It will take the approval of six supervisors to put the question before voters. So far, five supervisors have come out in support of a measure the business community believes could complicate how the city markets itself.
"SFO, San Francisco, are iconic names. Putting anybody's name in front of San Francisco International Airport is problematic to that goal of branding the city worldwide," said Jim Lazarus with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
Lazarus suggested that a specific area at SFO, such as a terminal or boarding area, bear Milk's name instead.
"There are numerous opportunities out there that ought to be considered," he said.
Campos' proposal has struck a chord with some in the city's lesbian and gay community who turned out for a rally at San Francisco City Hall on Friday.
"This city owes this to Harvey Milk, owes this," said State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano to about 100 people in attendance.
Ammiano said he is looking forward to the day when he can check out Google Maps, zoom in on the airport, and see Harvey Milk's name from space.
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