To obtain a high-resolution image of the stamp for media use only, email mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.

WASHINGTON — The First-Day-Issue dedication ceremony for the Harvey Milk Forever Stamp took place at the White House today. 

“Let this stamp remind us of the fundamental truth behind Mr. Milk’s message — that we all have a stake in equality,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman in dedicating the stamp. “Let this stamp inspire a new generation to continue Harvey Milk’s legacy — to keep working toward a world where prejudice gives way to acceptance, where division gives way to unity, and where fear gives way to hope.”

Joining Stroman in dedicating the stamp were Harvey Milk Foundation Founder/President and Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk; U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations; House Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Rep. John Lewis (D-GA);  Campbell, CA, City Councilmember Evan Low; Harvey Milk Foundation Co-Founder  Anne Kronenberg; Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute President and CEO Chuck Wolfe and singer-songwriter Mary Lambert.

“The dreams uncle Harvey shared with me — for a world based not simply on tolerance, but on inclusion, not simply on an allowance for differences, but on the celebration of humanity’s diversity, are dreams for which he made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Milk. “These dreams have a wonderful new emblem with the U.S. Postal Service’s issuance of the Harvey Milk Forever Stamp. The stamp represents a remembrance of the price paid by those that have gone before us in the struggle for equality and is also a graceful reminder that we each have a role to play in nourishing hope for those still struggling for acceptance, and that equality requires our vigilance, not only here, but across this globe that we all share.”

Available in sheets of 20 stamps, the stamp image is based on a circa 1977 black and white photograph of Milk in front of his Castro street camera store in San Francisco taken by Daniel Nicoletta of Grants Pass, OR. Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, was art director for the stamp.

The public is invited to attend the 3:30 p.m. PT May 28 Harvey Milk Forever Stamp special dedication ceremony at City Hall in San Francisco. 

Harvey Milk (1930-1978) was a visionary leader who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk’s achievements gave hope and confidence to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in the United States and elsewhere at a time when the community was encountering widespread hostility and discrimination. Milk believed that government should represent all citizens, ensuring equality and providing needed services.

His political career was tragically cut short less than a year after he took office in California when he and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated on Nov. 27, 1978.

In 2009, Milk was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

Customers may view many of this year’s other stamps on Facebook facebook.com/USPSStamps, Twitter@USPSstamps, Pinterest pinterest.com/uspsstamps, Instagraminstagram.com/uspostalservice or on uspsstamps.com, the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at usps.com/stampsor by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:

Harvey Milk
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, there is a 5-cent charge per postmark. All orders must be postmarked by July 21, 2014.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog online at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724). Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products
Eight philatelic products are available.

• 472024, Framed Art, $39.95

• 472006, Press Sheet with die-cuts, $117.60 (print quantity 1,000).
• 472008, Press Sheet without die-cuts, $117.60 (print quantity 1,000).

• 472010, Keepsake with Digital Color Postmark, $11.95.

• 472016, First-Day Cover, $0.93.

• 472021, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.

• 472030, Ceremony Program,$6.95.
• 472031, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
• 472032, Stamp Deck Card w/Digital Color Postmark. $1.99.

The HARVEY MILK® image is licensed by the Harvey Milk Foundation.

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