The verdict proved to be highly controversial , and many felt that the punishment so poorly matched the deed and circumstances that most San Franciscans believed White essentially got away with murder . In particular , many in the gay community were outraged by the verdict and the resulting reduced prison sentence . Since Milk had been homosexual , many felt that homophobia had been a motivating factor in the jury 's decision . This groundswell of anger sparked the city 's White Night riots
White Night riots
White Night riots
Moscone–Milk assassinations