Gay Activist Beaten to Death

Read article here first: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20120417/halifax-gay-activist-death-120417/#ixzz1sswfRa5z

Raymond Taavel in 2008

In summary, Raymond Taavel, who was a gay activist, was beaten to death outside a bar in Halifax earlier this month. There were many witnesses at the scene, and 32-year-old Andre Noel Denny is facing charges of second degree murder. 


Denny was uttering homophobic slurs, and killed Raymond Taavel because he had an issue with his sexuality. This tragic event has caused most of the gay community in Halifax to be scared for their lives. People should not have to live in fear of being killed simply because of their sexuality. That is a horrific thought, and I really believed that we had come so much farther than this in terms of accepting everyone for who they are.

Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in the United States

Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in the United States

  Same-sex marriage¹

  Unions granting rights similar to marriage^1,2

  Legislation granting limited/enumerated rights¹

  Same-sex marriages performed elsewhere recognized¹

  No specific prohibition or recognition of same-sex marriages or unions

  Statute bans same-sex marriage

  Constitution bans same-sex marriage²

  Constitution bans same-sex marriage and some or all other kinds of same-sex unions

***See the full Wikipedia article here***

I think this situation is especially horrendous because it took place in Canada, a country that is generally seen as an accepting nation. We are a country that allows same-sex marriage. The fact that this tragedy happened here is appalling to me, and I think it is the exact opposite of "everyone deserving equal rights." 


The fact that someone was be brutally beaten and murdered in this country just because of being openly gay is sickening and truly horrifying to me. I can't picture that happening  
 in Canada, it seems more like something that  you'd hear about in some of the States. That might be stereotypical, but that's just how I see it.


Raymond Taavel's death has been mourned heavily by activists in Halifax. The street he was murdered on was hung with flags and other tributes to his death.