Read: Chad Griffin's Tribute to Julian Bond

When Julian Bond passed away on Sunday at the age of 75, the United States lost a hero, and the world lost a tireless voice for equality. For decades, Bond dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice. As an activist, Georgian state representative, and as chairman of the NAACP, he fought for many things, among them civil rights, racial and gender equality, and LGBT rights. Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign, published a moving tribute to the legend, and to the man he got to know personally.

"Julian Bond's commitment to equality, his pursuit of justice for all, and his pointed criticism of those who would permit discrimination in any form made him an icon, a hero, and a legend."

"In the years I got to know Julian, I discovered a man whose generosity had no bounds. There was no ask too big or too small for Julian. His voice was instrumental in helping to secure support for marriage equality, and he was an early supporter of the federal court challenge to California's Proposition 8."

"The last time I saw Julian and his wife, Pamela Horowitz -- his partner in the fight for equality -- was at the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments in the marriage equality case, Obergefell v. Hodges. We were in the courtroom as the justices considered the case that would ultimately bring marriage equality to all 50 states. We waited together in line outside and inside for hours. It might just have been a few of the most memorable hours of my life, and Julian emailed me later to express what a profound moment it was for him and Pam."

To read the full piece, visit The Advocate.