The White House has released a list of 10 openly LGBT public officials it will honor Wednesday as “Harvey Milk Champions of Change.”  The event falls on Harvey Milk Day, which commemorates the civil rights leader’s birthday.

“These are LGBT leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to both equality and public service,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund and Institute.  ”They are citizen legislators, executives and appointees who serve honestly, openly and proudly.  We congratulate and salute each of them for this high honor.”

The 2013 Harvey Milk Champions of Change are:

• Simone Bell – Georgia State Representative, Atlanta, GA
• Angie Buhl O’Donnell – South Dakota State Senator, Sioux Falls, SD
• Karen Clark – Minnesota State Representative, South Minneapolis, MN
• Michael A. Gin – Mayor of Redondo Beach, Redondo Beach, CA
• Kim Coco Iwamoto – Hawaii State Civil Rights Commissioner, Honolulu, HI
• John Laird – California Secretary of Natural Resources, Santa Cruz, CA
• Ricardo Lara – California State Senator, Long Beach, CA
• Kim Painter – Johnson Country Recorder, Iowa City, IA
• Chris Seelbach – Cincinnati City Council Member, Cincinnati, OH
• Pat Steadman – Colorado State Senator, Denver, CO

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, an opportunity for government leaders, activists and allies to speak out against intolerance and discrimination against LGBT people everywhere.   The annual event marks the anniversary of the day the World Health Organization decategorized homosexuality as a mental disorder.

The United Nations human rights office released this video highlighting its commitment to LGBT around the world.  ”The United Nations has one simple message to the millions of LGBT people around the world:  you are not alone,” said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, also released a video.  ”At the United Nations the United States is standing up for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and fighting to ensure their voices are heard and protected,” Rice said.

“We stand with our brothers and sisters who are LGBT, no matter where they are, and with allies around the globe who agree that human rights and LGBT rights are the same,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund and Institute.

Same-sex couples in Minnesota won the right to marry today after the state Senate today gave final passage to a marriage equality bill.  Gov. Mark Dayton has vowed to sign it.

Sen. Scott Dibble, who is openly gay, led the effort in the Senate, and openly lesbian Rep. Karen Clark was lead sponsor in the House.  ”Today we have the power, the awesome, humbling power to make dreams come true,” Dibble said moments before the vote, his voice trembling.

“This is a dream come true for same-sex couples across Minnesota, and for the state’s gay and lesbian lawmakers who’ve worked so hard for this victory,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.  ”Their leadership has been powerful and inspirational, and they deserve our thanks for standing up for fairness, for equality and for all LGBT Minnesotans.”

Photo:  Beaumont Enterprise

Transgender Californians could soon find it easier to change their legal names.  The State Assembly this week passed a bill introduced by openly lesbian Majority Leader Toni Atkins (pictured) that would make the process easier, less expensive and more private, according to San Diego Politico.

“Transgender people are entitled to have their official documents and their legal name reflect their true identity without a burdensome and expensive process that endangers their personal safety,” said Atkins.  Currently those seeking name changes must get approval from a court and have the name change application published in a newspaper, which could expose transgender individuals to discrimination or harassment.

“Having identity documents that accurately reflect who you are is vital in so many areas of every day life – from applying for a job to exercising our rights at the ballot box,” said Masen Davis, Executive Director of Transgender Law Center. “Many of us wouldn’t think twice when asked to show our ID, but this is a very serious issue for transgender people.”

The legislation now heads to the California Senate.

The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed a bill legalizing marriage for same-sex couples, and the legislation is expected to be taken up by the state Senate in the next few days.

“This is a historic day for Minnesota,” said Karen Clark, the openly lesbian sponsor of the bill.  ”In Minnesota we don’t turn our back on family… Freedom means freedom for everyone.”

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, congratulated Clark and her colleagues.  ”We’re incredibly proud that out lawmakers like Representative Clark are leading the fight to win more freedom for LGBT Americans.  She stood up and asked her colleagues to see her as their equal, and that’s an incredibly powerful request,” Wolfe said.

Sen. Scott Dibble, an openly gay Democrat, will lead efforts to pass the bill in the state Senate.

Photo:  Minnesota Public Radio