Board votes unanimously to name SFO Terminal 1 for Harvey Milk after emotional tributes

An ordinance to name Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport for the late Supervisor Harvey Milk passed unanimously on first reading at the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 3.

Former Supervisor and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano and former Supervisor Harry Britt addressed the board during the item’s public remarks. Ammiano said the renaming was a “significant moment in San Francisco history,” and asked colleagues for a unanimous vote; Britt described Milk’s record of making LGBT people visible in public life and said the designation would be “forever Harvey Milk’s place.” Supervisor Ronan, who carried the item, said the renaming was especially meaningful during the terminal’s ongoing $2.4 billion renovation and committed to working with the airport director to ensure prominent art and signage honoring Milk’s life and legacy in the renovated terminal.

Supervisor Ronan noted the naming would let visitors “walk through the terminal, see art depicting the history of the LGBTQ movement here in San Francisco” and said the Board would pay attention to how the terminal’s art and displays represent Milk’s life and the city’s LGBT civil‑rights history. The board adopted the ordinance by roll call vote: 11 ayes, 0 nos.

The Board’s action was celebratory and ceremonial rather than regulatory; the airport will proceed with design and placement of permanent signage and artwork as part of the Terminal 1 renovation program. Supporters framed the designation as both an honor for Milk’s legacy and a way to make San Francisco’s values visible to visitors.