Today we honor the birthday of Harvey Milk, one of our community’s most influential activists and most passionate leaders.

Milk stood up for equality for LGBT people when few had given it a passing thought. He organized thousands of people, many of whom had nowhere else to turn, around a common cause. He was one of many invaluable founders of the gay rights movement as we know it, and I am certain the world would be a different, more hurtful place had it not been for his courage and leadership.

At the site above, brought to you by the Harvey Milk Foundation, you can learn more about different remembrance events taking place across the country or brainstorm ways to get involved. Today’s an important day, and we should honor it.

What will you do?

Nine-year-old Josef Miles happened to see a Westboro Baptist Church protest at Washburn University last week. Distraught by their messages, Josef made his own sign to add to the protest. It read, “God Hates No One.” More. 

I believe this was the campaign theme in 2009 - still relevant. 

On May 17 of every year, the International Day Against Homophobia serves to unite people under the common causes of fighting homophobia and embracing acceptance and love for all people.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Sexual diversity in the workplace: it pays off!” The idea is that LGBT people live and work all over the world and deserve the same rights and respect as their heterosexual coworkers. 

The site linked above includes all kinds of background information about the day itself, the group in charge and resources you can turn to. Today’s a big day - make it count! 

On Monday, protestors took to the streets in North Carolina to express their outrage at the passing of Amendment One. They’ll march every 14th of the month to keep it in people’s minds. More. 

On Thursday, Burma will have its very first public LGBT pride event as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Writers, artists and other speakers will discuss international LGBT rights at the event, which will take place indoors rather than in a parade format because of the climate toward LGBT people. Still, organizers are confident the event will send a positive message.

Asked if he is concerned about conservative backlash, Min insists that the Pride events will not be political. “This is just a celebration of a historic event, when homosexuality was removed from the list of mental diseases,” he told Gay Star News. “It’s just about the dignity of the LGBT people.”

“Our message is just to end homophobia,” he added.

How exciting! 

The North Carolina preacher who advised people to beat their possibly gay or gender non-conforming kids has faced backlash not just from the LGBT community, but from Christians too. 

A group called Faithful America is circulating a letter expressing outrage at Pastor Sean Harris’s violent and hateful comments during a recent sermon. At the time of this writing, the letter had already earned more than 12,000 signatures of support. 

The statement reads:

Faithful Christians are appalled by Pastor Sean Harris’s hateful tirade urging violence against gay and lesbian youth. Violence and child abuse can never be justified by the teachings of Jesus Christ. All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should be assured in church that they are beloved children of God.

Pastor Harris’s words did not in any way represent the majority of the Christian community. Thousands of Christians and certainly people of other faiths have spoken up to right this wrong, and while the pastor can’t unsay what he said, it’s reassuring to know his voice is not the loudest.