Margaret Cho has had a huge influence on my career. Her candid discussions on self image, her fearless energy, and of course her immigrant mom impressions (I too have an adorable immigrant Mom that makes her way into many of my jokes) have always inspired me. After I read “I’m the One that I Want” I was officially a huge fan. That book bluntly and beautifully examined the racial and size prejudices in Hollywood.

Check out this clip from the “I’m the One that I Want” show:

Not only an artist but also an activist, Cho recently received the First Amendment Award from the ACLU of Southern California, and the Intrepid Award from the National Organization for Women (NOW). She has also been honored by GLAAD, American Women in Radio and Television, the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), and PFLAG for “making a significant difference in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Cho says on her site “I didn’t mean to be a role model. I just speak my truth. I guess speaking from your heart really creates a huge impact, and if I can encourage people to do that, then I would love to be a role model. If I could encourage people to use their voices loudly, then that’s my reward. I don’t care about winning an academy award; I don’t care about mainstream acceptance, because it’s never going to be what I want it to be. I just want to do my work and love it”

That being said, it’s no wonder that on Wednesday at San Francisco City Hall, Mayor Gavin Newsom will proclaim April 30 to be Margaret Cho day.The live event will be taped for use in Margaret Cho’s new show,”The Cho Show,” which will air on Vh1 this summer. The proclamation is open to the public, welcoming family, friends and fans of all ages.

For more on the San Fran event and Margarets other projects visit http://www.margaretcho.com. Also and visit http://community.pflag.org/ an organization that Margaret has been involved with that strives to create a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.