Happy birthday. Because of you, a family can look like this:

And this:

Because you taught us to chose character over color, you paved the way for a new kind of rainbow world, with beautiful, hopeful offspring. Because of you, I was able to find and marry the love of my life.

Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your dedication, and thank you for giving your life for what you believed.

Special, special thanks to the women, who are oft overlooked in the struggle, who supported and facilitated Dr. King in going so far. They were the silent strength behind all the men. Let’s not forget them.