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Utah Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Rename Harvey Milk Boulevard for Charlie Kirk

The proposal faces legal questions because Salt Lake City, not the state, controls street names.

FILE - In this April 1977 file photo, San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk sits in the mayor's office during the signing of the city's gay rights bill in San Francisco. The Navy is naming a ship in honor of the late gay rights leader, who served in the Navy for four years before he began a career in San Francisco city government. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced the decision to name the ship, which is one of a new fleet of replenishment oilers that will be built in San Diego. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Harvey Milk, a gay political leader in San Francisco, is seen pictured in his camera store on Castro Street, June 28, 1977, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/File)
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Overview

  • Rep. Trevor Lee filed legislation to change the name of a stretch of 900 South in Salt Lake City from Harvey Milk Boulevard to Charlie Kirk Boulevard.
  • The street has carried Harvey Milk’s name since a unanimous Salt Lake City Council vote in 2016.
  • Lee argues Harvey Milk lacks ties to Utah and says Kirk should be honored after his assassination at Utah Valley University in Orem, though Kirk has no direct link to Salt Lake City.
  • Utah municipal code 10-8-32 gives cities the authority to name and rename streets, and 900 South is not a state road, raising doubts the legislature can mandate a change.
  • Reporters have sought comment from Utah House Democrats, the Utah Pride Center, and Equality Utah, and Lee’s prior bill restricting unofficial flags on government property drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates.