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LGBT Ally Jack Layton Dead at 61

Posted by on Aug 23, 2011 in Bad News | 3 comments

Jack Layton - Thank you for being a friend.

The LGBT community lost a great ally in the fight for equal rights Monday morning when Jack Layton, a vehement supporter of gay rights, succumbed to cancer.

During his life, Layton fought for a number of causes, including gay rights and AIDS awareness. He had recently stepped down from his post as the National Democratic Party (NDP) leader in Canada, but had mentioned an intent to return to politics. Layton and his wife Olivia were also guests at Toronto’s pride parade, and had been for decades.

At this year’s Toronto pride parade, Layton said the following about the event:

I am proud to stand in solidarity with members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and transsexual communities. Let us not forget that LGBTT people around the world still suffer prejudice and discrimination, even to the point of violence and death. Our work is not done. We can dream of a world that includes members of the LGBTT as equal without a second thought.

Not only was Layton an avid proponent for gay rights and issues, he was also a strong supporter of women’s rights and was a driving force behind abortion becoming a fully funded and universally available procedure in Canada. Additionally, he fought to protect the rights of doctors and patients at abortion clinics.

Politicians of our country could learn a thing or two from Jack’s legacy and try to focus on uniting and supporting other lifestyles and viewpoints instead of bashing us about causing the recession or hiring people who hate and want to kill us.

As Jack himself said, “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

Jack Layton was obviously a great advocate for so many causes, and his loss is surely one that will be mourned by the LGBT community. The world could use more people like him, and he will be missed.