Conservative group opposes Harvey Milk Day, wants children to stay home from school

A conservative group in California is protesting Harvey Milk Day by urging parents to keep their children home from school.

The unofficial state holiday Tuesday is supposed to recognize Milk as the first openly gay man elected in California. But the Save California group is concerned about classroom lessons next week advocating or encouraging a gay lifestyle.

Each school can decide whether to have exercises related to Milk, the San Francisco supervisor and gay activist fatally shot by a former supervisor in 1978.

Save California leader Randy Thomasson said one major concern is the exercises can be conducted without parental notification or permission.

This is the second year California has held a day honoring Milk. The controversy comes as lawmakers and groups in San Diego and San Francisco attempt to get a Navy ship named after Milk, who was a Navy diver and honorably discharged as a lieutenant in 1955.

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