Governor
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Harvey Milk Bill

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have honored Harvey Milk's birthday as a statewide "day of significance," reports the Associated Press. In a statement on Tuesday, Schwarzenegger defended his decision by saying that the icon's "contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level."

The bill, which was sponsored by San Francisco assemblyman Mark Leno, was contested by conservative groups, who appealed to the governor to veto the legislation.

Milk was one of the first openly gay men to hold a prominent political office in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors in 1977. Milk, a film about the politician's life, directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn, is set for release this December. (The Advocate)