Dianne Feinstein, President of the Board of Supervisors, announces the murder of Milk and Mayor George Moscone, identifying Dan White as the suspect. There he is arrested and handcuffed. The boy transforms into Milk later in life as a 39-year old Wall Street stockbroker, still handcuffed, representing his repressed sexual identity. Scott Jones, a street activist and Milk's lover, ridicules Harvey's fears and dares him to confront his identity. The act ends as Harvey snaps free of his handcuffs, embracing his identity.
Milk is now an activist for gay and minority rights.
He runs for office and loses. Outside on the street, a gay man is beaten to death. Dan White is elected to the Board of Supervisors, condemning the gay community. Harvey Milk, in retaliation, is elected to the Board of Supervisors on the platform of hope and faith in the power of every individual to affect change. Milk and White clash over neighborhood issues.