It may seem fitting to some that Jesse Helms died on Independence Day.

The five-time Republican senator from North Carolina obviously had nothing to do with the colonies gaining independence from the British. But the ultra-conservative Helms built his public image around southern-style patriotism and fierce protection of the homeland.

Somewhere early in his political career, Helms learned how to whip white Christian values into foaming fear and anger.

His campaign battles have become legendary, sometimes defeating his opponents with stinging, race-baiting ads.

He opposed both affirmative action and honoring Dr. Martin Luther King with a national holiday. He also opposed abortion and foreign aid. He voted no on so many bills, some of his colleagues called him Senator No.

But nothing seemed to rile Helms more than gay rights.

He spewed words like "homosexuals" and "lesbians" with such contempt it could make you shiver. Dozens of public figures have protested against the LGBT community. But perhaps because he was elected to one of the country's highest offices, few people were as threatening.

Helms, unlike many of his contemporaries who shared his views, had real power and influence.

He vehemently opposed federal funding for AIDS research, blaming the disease on the immoral and unnatural acts of gay men. And when Ryan White died in 1990, he refused to meet with White's mother who came to Washington to testify before Congress on the need for funding.

Helms's fury with homos is over. But there is some irony in his passing.

Helms died at a time of year when LGBT communities in cities across the country hold "gay pride" festivals and parades. What once occurred in San Francisco and New York now happens in more than 100 cities in North America during the months of June and July.

Celebrating pride and self-affirmation, knowing one is not immoral and unnatural is the perfect antidote to the Helms legacy.