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3w ago

Utah Lawmaker Moves to Rename Harvey Milk Boulevard for Charlie Kirk

Utah law gives cities control over street names, raising questions about whether a state bill can compel Salt Lake City to change 900 South.

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)
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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 has proposed legislation to retitle a Salt Lake City stretch of 900 South from Harvey Milk Boulevard to Charlie Kirk Boulevard.
  • Lee argues Kirk merits recognition because he was assassinated in Utah on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University, while Harvey Milk had no Utah ties.
  • The Salt Lake City Council unanimously designated the corridor as Harvey Milk Boulevard in 2016 to honor the slain gay-rights pioneer.
  • Utah municipal code 10-8-32 vests naming authority with municipalities, and 900 South is not a state road, suggesting the measure faces legal and practical hurdles.
  • Salt Lake City’s mayor has declined to comment, outreach to LGBTQ groups and Democrats is pending, and Lee cites Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk as inspiration; he previously sponsored a law barring unofficial flags, including pride flags, on government property.