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"The answer lies in the intolerance of people who are different, and don't fit their definition of normalcy."
"Waiting
is not without harms ... we have waited long enough."
"I
understand they do not like the word bigot. I am not thrilled about godhatesfags.com
either."
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Aaron Webster On November 17, 2020 in Vancouver B.C, Aaron Webster became another victim of violence and ignorance. Aaron was beaten to death in Stanley Park by a group of assailants and the sole reason for his senseless death was homophobia. We grieve with those who knew Aaron and we are outraged that the Federal Justice Minister who promised to include sexual orientation in hate crimes legislation in 1999, did nothing and stalled on this issue. By continuing to exclude gays, lesbians and transgendered people from equal protections and benefits under the law, the government sent the message that it is acceptable to ridicule, torment and kill us, because we are not full members of Canadian society. Don't let Aaron Webster become just another statistic. Take action to end the violence against our society that comes from exclusion and ignorance. Who is to blame for the death of Aaron Webster? Who is to blame for the death of Aaron Webster? Many will say that he should not have been visiting in the darkness of Stanley Park. That is similar to saying that those who live on a dimly lit street should move to a brighter area. No that isn't the answer as to why Aaron died. The answer lies in the intolerance of people who are different, and don't fit their definition of normalcy. The churches must share the blame, when they preach that homosexuals will burn in hell. School boards, who will not allow certain books in the classroom, or do not invite members of the gay community to speak in the schools must change their thinking. Politicians who introduce legislation that make gays and lesbians less valued members of society are delivering a message of intolerance.The police department, when they fail to set up a recruitment booth at the gay pride parade. I'm at fault, when as a teenager I found it amusing to harass "Queers", only to discover a few years later that I was "Queer." May Aaron's death not be in vain. Let us come together as a community of caring for one another. Let this be a wake-up call, that terrorism in any form is unacceptable. Lloyd
Thornhill/Bob Peacock The Shame of Canada's Federal Liberal Government The Background: - On Saturday, November 17, 2001, gay Vancouver resident Aaron Webster was viciously beaten to death in Stanley Park; - Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people are common targets of hate crimes across Canada; - Prior to Aaron's murder, sexual orientation was excluded from federal hate propaganda laws, making it perfectly legal to promote hatred against our communities; - In addition, gay-bashers are often able to rely on the discredited 'homosexual panic' defence, claiming they were justified in committing murder because the victim 'came on' to them; - In 1999, Justice Minister Anne McLellan said she would make "necessary changes" to the Criminal Code to protect gays and lesbians under hate propaganda laws "in the coming months". She did nothing. - Finally, on November 29, 2020 - Justice Minister McClellan met with her provincial counterparts and agreed to include gays and lesbians in Hate Crimes legislation. Read letters written to the Justice Minister
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