On May 22 of this year, scores of schools around California will mark the first annual Harvey Milk Day, a special day set aside by the state of California to honor the life and legacy of Harvey Milk. On this day, scores of schools will give lessons to their students on the work that Milk did on behalf of civil rights and equality.

But there's one anti-gay activist in Bakersfield, California trying to prevent his school district, the Kern High School District, from recognizing Harvey Milk Day. The activist, Ken Mettler, said at a recent school district meeting, "Harvey Milk does not rise to the level of a special day of recognition."

Tell that to the millions of people inspired by Milk's work for equal rights, and the legacy Milk left behind in the wake of his assassination in 1978. If the Kern High School District is interested in honoring one of California's heroes (indeed, a hero for the entire U.S.), they should absolutely commemorate Harvey Milk Day.

The school district is scheduled to vote on May 19 whether to recognize Harvey Milk Day or not. Demand that they do, both for the sake of important civil rights history, as well as the LGBT students in their district who deserve to hear the story of one of America's true civil rights champions.