Homosexuals continue to be under attack to this day, not just verbally and politically, but physically, all over the world.

That is why the Twin Peaks display is so important. We must remind people of the hatred and prejudice of the past to help educate people and prevent it from happening again. What happened in the Holocaust must not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

It is through the display that we hope to educate others to the lessons of the pink triangle," said Patrick Carney, one of the founders of the group. "As they say, 'those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.'" And this year, Carney and his group also want to use the display to remind people that "the same kind of thinking" exists today, as when the pink triangle was used by the Nazis to denigrate and shame gay people.

Comments last year by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and House Majority Leader Dick Armey show that perhaps some of the prejudices which influenced the Nazis half a century ago still influence many people today.

The pink triangle has been reclaimed by the gay and lesbian community as a symbol of pride. Since 1995, on Pride weekend, a group of San Franciscans, Friends of the Pink Triangle, has emblazoned it across a hill overlooking the city, making sure that the hundreds of thousands of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders who attend the annual parade and festival can feel pride, while making sure that no one forgets the history behind the symbol. Nearly 200 feet across, the fabric installation atop Twin Peaks is visible, on a clear day, from up to 15 miles away.

Carney said that his group hopes for a large crowd this year to attend the ceremony. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, to kick off the Pride festivities. The huge pink triangle will be seen by the parade and festival revelers throughout Pride weekend.

Dorothy Hajdys-Holman, mother of slain gay sailor Allen Schindler, was the featured speaker at the 2001 Pink Triangle commemoration about what happened to her son, and in support of the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Volunteers are being sought to help install the Pink Triangle on San Francisco's Twin Peaks. "The help of volunteers is greatly appreciated. All they need to bring is a hammer and their enthusiasm," said Carney, adding that food will be served for the workers.

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