Supervisor Harry Britt

Supervisor Harry Britt was an American politician who served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1979 to 1993, representing District 5. Britt was a key figure in the LGBT rights movement in the United States, working closely with activists like Harvey Milk and Cleve Jones. He was also a strong advocate for AIDS research and HIV prevention, often collaborating with organizations like the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Gay Men's Health Crisis. Britt's work was influenced by the Stonewall riots and the Gay Liberation Front, and he was a frequent speaker at events like the San Francisco Pride parade.

● Early Life and Education

Harry Britt was born on June 8, 1938, in Illinois, and grew up in a family that valued social justice and civil rights. He attended Northwestern University, where he studied sociology and became involved in the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Britt later moved to San Francisco in the 1960s, drawn by the city's vibrant counterculture and LGBT community, which included figures like Allen Ginsberg and Andy Warhol. He became friends with Harvey Milk, who would later become a mentor and colleague, and was involved in the San Francisco gay rights movement, which was influenced by the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis.

● Career

Before entering politics, Britt worked as a social worker and a community organizer, focusing on issues like poverty and housing in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. He was also involved in the anti-war movement, protesting the Vietnam War and working with groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the American Friends Service Committee. Britt's experience in these fields helped shape his approach to politics, which emphasized grassroots organizing and coalition building with organizations like the AFL-CIO and the National Organization for Women.

● Political Career

Britt was appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1979, following the assassination of Harvey Milk and George Moscone by Dan White. He won a special election to fill the remainder of Milk's term and went on to serve for 14 years, representing District 5, which included neighborhoods like the Haight-Ashbury and the Castro District. During his time on the board, Britt worked on issues like LGBT rights, AIDS funding, and affordable housing, often collaborating with colleagues like Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi. He was also a strong supporter of the San Francisco Police Department's LGBT liaison program and worked to improve relations between law enforcement and the LGBT community, which had been strained by events like the White Night Riot.

● Legacy

Harry Britt's legacy is closely tied to his work on LGBT rights and AIDS activism. He was a key figure in the development of San Francisco's LGBT community and played a crucial role in shaping the city's response to the AIDS epidemic. Britt's work has been recognized by organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and he has been honored with awards like the Harvey Milk Award and the San Francisco Pride Lifetime Achievement Award. His commitment to social justice and human rights has inspired a generation of activists, including figures like Larry Kramer and Marsha P. Johnson, and his legacy continues to be felt in San Francisco and beyond, with events like the San Francisco Pride parade and the AIDS Walk San Francisco.

● Personal Life

Harry Britt was openly gay and lived in San Francisco's Castro District for many years. He was a frequent attendee at LGBT events and was known for his charismatic personality and his ability to bring people together. Britt was also a strong supporter of the arts and was involved in the development of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. He passed away on June 24, 2020, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of activism and public service that continues to inspire people around the world, including cities like New York City and Los Angeles, and organizations like the Trevor Project and the It Gets Better Project.

Category:American politicians