Something To Celebrate: The Best LGBT Moments Of The Week January 23 - January 27

Last week we introduced our new series Know Thine Enemy, a look at the worst anti-LGBT moments of the week.

Because we want to balance the bad with the good, today we're introducing another new series: Something To Celebrate.

Every other week we'll take a look at a few of the most exciting and inspirational stories from the previous week or two.

Because as important as it is to know what our enemies are saying about us so that we can properly prepare and respond to their attacks, it's equally important to take a few moments to come together to celebrate our victories and recognize the work our community and our allies are doing.

Are there other stories or events that took place this week that you want to honor? Let us know in the comments section below!

Comments

[cwright5678]

03:12 PM on 01/30/2012

I'd like to add #16: "Love Free or Die" (film about the first openly gay bishop- Gene Robinson) won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival!!

[JTyroler]

05:17 AM on 01/30/2012

It would be great if Huffington Post covered the Creating Change conference, which is going on in Baltimore this week. It is a vital LGBTQ event in the fight for equality in this nation.

[Zoe Brain]

04:48 AM on 01/30/2012

Great news for LGB.

T not so much, but you can't report uplifting events that don't actually happen, and they're pretty thin on the ground for them.

[Proud Bay Man]

02:07 AM on 01/30/2012

This song always brings tears to my eyes. Growing up gay in the late 60's, 70's, and 80's one would never think that anything like this would ever, ever come to fruition in my lifetime. My husband and I have been together 32 years, later this year. I couldn't imagine life without him. It definitely gets so, so much better. Thank you so much for bringing tears of strength to my eyes.

[sf1000000]

11:43 PM on 02/03/2012

Bless you both and congrads 32...thanks for making my weekend brighter !!

[liveinhope23]

06:43 PM on 01/29/2012

It is so nice to find a page reporting positive news about the LGBT community. All too often it is tragedy about High School kids, intolerance and all that goes with it.
So well done you Huffpo! I'm glad to hear a little good news on behalf of my LGBT friends. I look forward to a day when it's not really news but for now, I'm glad to celebrate any small step forward, any happy occasion and any signs of acceptance.
btw, I don't know how the LGBT community feels about this (someone let me know) but I've always found the term "tolerance" to be slightly off-putting. As though people were just putting up wth you. I I do realize that it's far better than intolerance, but I think "acceptance" or "embraced" is much nicer.

[hopingheart]

05:16 PM on 01/29/2012

This is all great but the high school/Lady Ga Ga vid brings tears to my eyes and a prayer to my heart that teens around the world be touched and heartened by its message.

[antipop]

02:28 PM on 01/29/2012

it really irritates me that kardashian is noted for donating 50,000 which she will write off on her taxes anyway....people wake up this woman just showed up every LGBT by having the audacity to marry for 72 days and make money off it when so many people cannot legally marry...i am from a country where homosexuality is illegal but at least my country wouldn't "worship" a moronic family for depleting the brain cells of the masses...

[herewegoagain2]

04:38 PM on 01/29/2012

It's just entertainment, like watching a Popeye cartoon. Direct your energy into making life better for all LGBT people in your country. I wish the best for you. Tell us what we can to to help and we will.

[Mindy Czech]

06:08 PM on 01/29/2012

It bothers me immensely when people say that gays are trying to ruin marriage, yet heterosexuals like Kim Kardashian are doing just a fine job of ruining marriage themselves. I mean seriously, Kim Kardashian getting divorced after 72 days of marriage is less offensive and wrong than me and my wife being married to each other at all?

[sf1000000]

11:48 PM on 02/03/2012

Why are we going to worry about Kim and Kris? I just read a post of a gay couple together 32 yrs..let us celebrate that !!
Let us celebrate our parents and grandparents that showed us HOW to be a loving supportive couple..they where my role model.

I recently told my Mother in law, " thank you, thank you for loving your son so much that he could love me..thank you for loving and accepting me as your son too"..


Let us thank the people that love us and ignore the others shall we? Trust me on Monday they will still be there trying to steal our souls with their hate.

[LGBT COALITION]

01:31 PM on 01/29/2012

January 25th was National Gay Straight Alliance Day. Many High School and College GSAs participated across the country and were supported by national and local organizations like the LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts, here where we are. It was a FABULOUS success with over 100 students, advisors and community organizations present. It was held in Springfield , MA. at Commerce High School. The kids were so excited!! Each GSA presented something about their group: skits, poster presentations and musical selections.We also had speakers, music and FOOD! We had 6 high schools and one local college present. It was a great time for the kids to socialize and see one another, as well as an opportunity for their advisors to plan on ways to do things together.
All in all, it was just a great day, so we are already planning for next year! And the kids--I kno we really did something powerful to let them know they are important, and that we are here to help/support them. Good things are happening in our planet...we just don't always know about them...

[lovingthismoment50]

02:45 AM on 01/29/2012

"First they ignore you, then they redicule you, then they fight you, and then you win."

-Mahatma Gandhi

[knight7se7en]

02:47 PM on 01/29/2012

I was thinking of this exact quote when I was reading through all of these moments. Well said.

[DessieRandom]

07:44 PM on 01/28/2012

Yep. It was a good week. :)

[Scar Crimson]

07:42 PM on 01/28/2012

Finally good things for my sister and brothers.

[wakeup804]

04:03 PM on 01/29/2012

Why thank you.

[gaydood]

04:55 PM on 01/28/2012

IT WAS A WONDERFUL WEEK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THX HP FOR THE GAYVOICES PAGE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gaydood]

06:48 PM on 01/28/2012

And I'm excited that so many are coming here to express themselves, and i think in a few months, this place wil be hopppping !!!

[lovingthismoment50]

02:47 AM on 01/29/2012

I love your enthusiam, gaydood.

Your comments always make me smile.

Don't change.

[sf1000000]

11:50 PM on 02/03/2012

yes Gay Dood..when I come across your comments I always smile..thank YOU for being YOU...

[OS2Guy]

04:43 PM on 01/28/2012

Round of applause to Adam Levine and Maroon 5 for taking such a strong stance. Adam Levine's younger brother, Michael, is gay and his family knew he was gay when he was just two years old. If you look around your own family, chances are you have a family member who is gay.

[sf1000000]

11:50 PM on 02/03/2012

HERE HERE TO ADAM...F&F thanks for reminding me I love their music..

[rockysparks]

04:41 PM on 01/28/2012

Very good message. Very entertaining, too.

[gaydood]

06:41 AM on 01/29/2012

rock on rocky!

[rockysparks]

11:22 AM on 01/29/2012

Too early in my day to rock much, Dood, but thanks for the encouragement ...

[OS2Guy]

04:37 PM on 01/28/2012

When I hear Dennis Shepard describe how his son was murdered I shutter and fill with tears. I don't know how any parent of any murdered child continues to go on as every day has to be true agony but I applaud him for doing so. As an openly gay man, married with a 4 year old son, I know how incredibly lucky I am to have never faced the kind of fear and desperation Matthew Shepard had to have faced. I love my husband and son more than anything on earth and so very thankful to have been born in and live in a city like San Francisco. My heart goes out to both Dennis and Judy Shepard over the loss of their boy Matthew. Matthew lives on in the heart of every gay person.

[wakeup804]

04:09 PM on 01/29/2012

You sound like a wonderful family man.

[sf1000000]

11:53 PM on 02/03/2012

The streets of Heaven are crowded with many angels...F&F bless you..I miss SF CA..perhaps some day we will move back..