Supporters of California’s Proposition 8 ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage picketed last night’s Castro Theater  premiere of Milk where San Francisco’s 70s retro chic-sters and drag queens strutted together proudly. The hometown crowd’s chants "No More Hate!" and cheers for the arriving actors drowned out the anti-gay protesters. 

Milk‘s premiere was timed to the final week before this crucial election, one which includes the anti-gay state Proposition 8 which is not unlike the one Harvey Milk squashed 30 years ago. Milk was assassinated on November 29, 1978 at City Hall by the recently resigned supervisor Dan White, played by Josh Brolin in the film.White also shot and killed Mayor George Moscone, who is played by Victor Garber, on what became known as "Black Monday."

White’s trial created the phrase "Twinkie defense" when defense psychiatrist Martin Binder testified that White’s consmption of high sugar sodas and Hostess snack cakes led to his diminshed capacity at the time of the murders. White’s 1979 conviction of voluntary mansluaghter, rather than murder, caused the city to erupt in violence and riots.

The film stars, including Sean Penn, Josh Brolin,  Victor Garber, Lucas Grabeel, and Alison Pill mingled with politicians and Milk’s compatriots including  NAMES AIDS Quilt Memorial Project founder Cleve Jones; photographer Danny Nicoletta, Supervisor Tom Ammiano and San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsome. The film’s director,  Gus Van Sant also attended.

Mayor Newsom said he felt "a tremendous amount of pride" to be attending the movie’s premiere in San Francisco.

Earlier in the day San Francisco city officials, transit directors and hundreds of  spectators gathered around an F-Market streetcar in the Castro District Tuesdayto dedicate the car to the life and career of former Supervisor Harvey Milk.

San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority executive director Nathaniel Ford said:

The streetcar will be a rolling classroom where passengers can learn about the life of Harvey Milk

The restored green and cream San Francisco rail car # 1051, was used in the 1960s and 1970s,  and now displays a placard near the front entrance saying, "This car is dedicated to Harvey Milk: San Francisco Supervisor, Human Rights Advocate, Transit Advocate."

Above the interior windows are displays of Milk’s life in photographs, quotations and anecdotes, including his advocacy for improving public transportation.

You can help carry on Harvey Milk’s work for same-sex equality by donating to No on 8.  And remind your friends to vote and that the ballot has more on it that just the the presidential elections.