“If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.”

Today is the 35th anniversary of the murder of Harvey Milk. He was not the first openly LGBT person to stand for, and win, public office and he most certainly won’t be the last.

Nonetheless, his campaigns, his victory – and even his murder – sent a message to LGBT people around the globe that strengthened our determination never to be downtrodden again.His death was a great loss: who knows where we would be if he were still alive today. But it is great to see that his work is being carried forward by the Harvey Milk Foundation. They are, for example, ensuring global awareness of the persecution of LGBT people in Eastern Europe as well as other parts of the world.

The great work of the Harvey Milk Foundation is a fitting legacy for a great man.