The eight-year period covered by Milk explores the development of a full-fledged civil rights movement in the United States, the first to deal directly with same-sex affection, sexuality and relationships, rejecting prevailing notions that viewed homosexuality as sin or illness. The road to civil rights for sexual minorities in this nation has been a long one, with many false starts. Most of the earlier steps along this path are unknown today, and were, largely unknown to people in San Francisco at the time, including those who were part of sexual minorities.
Those who come to a film discussion about Milk will have seen this film at different times. Even after it is available on DVD, its length will likely preclude a discussion session that immediately follows viewing the film. This presents an opportunity to offer the discussion questions to participants ahead of time.