In an unfortunate loss, one of the leading LGBT activists in the country, Rodger McFarlane, died on Friday, May 15 by taking his own life after experiencing a debilitating series of back and heart problems. McFarlane was a bestselling author, civil rights pioneer and a true ally for those stricken with AIDS and other horrendous diseases.

On Saturday, May 16, a Denver third-grader organized a rally at the Colorado state capitol building in support of gay marriage rights. Ethan McNamee decided to do an independent class project after learning that two of his neighbors can not get married because they are a same-sex couple.

Cuba celebrated its first Gay Pride Parade in history on Sunday, May 17 as part of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). The march was led by Cuban leader Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela, in Havana as a prelude to Cuba’s Diversity is Natural conference.

A bill introduced into Pennsylvania’s senate by Sen. John Eichelberger would make same-sex marriage explicitly illegal. Although the state already has adheres to the Defense of Marriage Act defining marriage as between one man and one woman, the bill would help suppress equal marriage rights in the event a lawsuit is brought against the state DOMA, a highly possible scenario in the current climate of activism.

Rochelle Hamilton won a hard-fought battle against her former high school after encountering discrimination not only from students, but from teachers and administrators as well. With the help of Northern California’s ACLU, Hamilton was able to come to a settlement with the Vallejo City Unified School District to enforce better anti-discrimination training and prevent harassment in Vallejo City schools.