Harvey Milk, famous civil and LGBT rights activist, America’s one of the first openly gay politicians, elected member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Milk, will receive a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, from President Barack Obama, www.gaypolitics.com informs.

Along with Milk, the medals will be given to tennis great Billie Jean King, who is openly lesbian, and longtime champion of gay rights Senator Edward Moore Kennedy of Massachusetts. The ceremony is scheduled at White House for August 12 .As the website of Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund - www.victoryfund.org announces, the award on behalf of Harvey will be accepted by Stuart Milk, his nephew.

"The president’s action today touches the core of our very human hearts and my uncle would be so proud of this high honor,” Stuart Milk said in an interview with the Fund. “His election was, for him, a beginning - a chance to make real change. That change is happening, but we still have so far to go. I hope this recognition inspires LGBT Americans everywhere to heed Harvey’s call to run for office, to serve openly, to live proudly with authenticity, and to demand the equality that we all deserve.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award, traditionally given to honor especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.