Sakia was a 15-year-old self described "ag" (for aggressive) African American lesbian. She lived in Newark, NJ, and was out to her family and friends, had a girlfriend and also clearly had a tremendous amount of courage.

Early in the morning of May 11, after hanging out in Manhattan, she and her friends returned to Newark. While waiting for a bus, two men in a car made sexual advances towards her and her girlfriend. She made it clear they had no interest - they were lesbians. One of the men, Richard McCullough, got out of the car and stabbed her. Repeatedly. Sakia Gunn died in the arms of her best friend, Valencia.

When reports of the murder came to us at GLAAD, I immediately mobilized the appropriate staff. It was not only difficult to get the local media to really care, it was almost impossible to get the local LGBT community to do something. In New York city, where we have one of the largest LGBT communities in the country, I was appalled at the lack of response. I also felt, more than in any other hate crime I have dealt with "There but for the grace of God go I." How many times had I rebuffed comments from men towards me and my girlfriends. How was it that I got lucky and never had one of them lash out in violence?

We did the right thing. We got on the PATH train, went to the vigil, worked with the local anti-violence project to offer support to her family and friends. One of the best LGBT papers in the country, the Gay City News, did an extraordinary job documenting and following the story. They were the only media outlet at Sakia's funeral. Over 2000 students and friends attended the viewing prior to her funeral. I was one of a handful of activists - and white people - there. Mick Meenan of Gay City News, Jim Fouratt, my partner Leah and me. After a number of weeks of advocacy, we worked with some great producers at CNN, who came to Newark to film a protest at City Hall, interviewed Sakia's family and friends and was able to get the story on Anderson Cooper's program.

As it always has, it felt like an honor and a huge responsibility to work with Sakia's family. Her mother, LaTona Gunn, was always supportive of her daughter and was a visible and vocal advocate. She continues to be. If only she had the platform.

There is a film you need to see, to really get all the details of Sakia's life and death. This is a story that needs to be told and Charles B. Brack has done it, with the production of "The Sakia Gunn Story." Go to The Sakia Gunn Film Project and see if it is coming to an LGBT film festival near you. Order a copy for your local community center. Let Sakia tell her story.