Parallel experience shared
Mains, Gordon describe political challenges
By Nicole Russo
Last Updated:4:30 PM EST 4/22/09 Section: News
A screening of the Academy Award-winning film Milk drew several dozen students to Basil 135 the night of April 14.
Afterward, students stayed for a question and answer session with Marlene Gordon and Tim Mains, who shared similar stories.
Gordon worked on one of Harvey Milk's campaigns for office in the 1970s, when he became the first openly gay elected official in the United States.
"It was a very exciting time when he was elected," she said.
In November 1985, Mains became the first openly gay official elected in New York State, when he was elected to the Rochester City Council. He remained active in local politics for 20 years.
In addition to working on one of Milk's campaigns for office, Gordon was involved in the battle to keep Proposition 6 from being adopted in California. This proposed bill would have made it legal to fire teachers on the basis of their sexual orientation, as well as firing those who supported them.
Like a scene out of the movie, Gordon recalled the celebration in the Bay Area when Proposition 6 was defeated.
"I remember riding down Market Street on the back of a cable car," Gordon said. "All those people. There was an incredible amount of pride."
Mains says he was "keenly aware" of the storyline, especially regarding Proposition 6, as he was teaching in Rochester at the time.
"When I first moved here in 1971, 'gay' and 'teacher' didn't belong in the same sentence," Mains said.
Gordon later got a job at a school. On her first day on the job, in November 1978, she walked into the faculty room where she heard Milk had been shot and killed.
"I just cried," she said.
Disgruntled city supervisor Dan White killed both Milk and San Francisco Mayor Henry Mascone. The following spring, he was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to seven and two-thirds years. His sentence was reduced for time served and good behavior and he was released in five years.
Afterward, students stayed for a question and answer session with Marlene Gordon and Tim Mains, who shared similar stories.
Gordon worked on one of Harvey Milk's campaigns for office in the 1970s, when he became the first openly gay elected official in the United States.
"It was a very exciting time when he was elected," she said.
In November 1985, Mains became the first openly gay official elected in New York State, when he was elected to the Rochester City Council. He remained active in local politics for 20 years.
In addition to working on one of Milk's campaigns for office, Gordon was involved in the battle to keep Proposition 6 from being adopted in California. This proposed bill would have made it legal to fire teachers on the basis of their sexual orientation, as well as firing those who supported them.
Like a scene out of the movie, Gordon recalled the celebration in the Bay Area when Proposition 6 was defeated.
"I remember riding down Market Street on the back of a cable car," Gordon said. "All those people. There was an incredible amount of pride."
Mains says he was "keenly aware" of the storyline, especially regarding Proposition 6, as he was teaching in Rochester at the time.
"When I first moved here in 1971, 'gay' and 'teacher' didn't belong in the same sentence," Mains said.
Gordon later got a job at a school. On her first day on the job, in November 1978, she walked into the faculty room where she heard Milk had been shot and killed.
"I just cried," she said.
Disgruntled city supervisor Dan White killed both Milk and San Francisco Mayor Henry Mascone. The following spring, he was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to seven and two-thirds years. His sentence was reduced for time served and good behavior and he was released in five years.
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