Candlelight Vigil to be held Sunday for Christopher SkinnerA young gay man, Christopher Skinner, was savagely attacked and murdered while walking home from his sister's birthday party this past Saturday night in downtown Toronto. Although the police have been reluctant to call this a 'hate crime', Chris's sexuality was undoubtedly a factor in this otherwise unprovoked attack. It is a stark reminder that queer bashing is still an all too common occurrence in Canada.
Chris's murder has left many of us feeling shaken, angry, scared and frustrated. To all queer communities and allies - this is a call out for a CANDLELIGHT VIGIL ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT 8PM AT THE CORNER OF CHURCH & WELLESLEY. If enough people show up and want to, we can march. Bring a candle, a sign, a flower, whatever.
Please pass this invitation along to anyone you know who might be interested.
Please take this down; there is no evidence to suggest at this point that the incident was anti-gay. What happened was a terrible tragedy to a wonderful person, and we should be celebrating his life, not focusing on speculation and inflammatory statements. I appreciate very much the spirit of the vigil as his friend, but I ask that you please restate the focus of this event. Thank you for organizing this, and I hope it helps to draw attention to what has happened.
ReplyDeleteI will not change my post based on an anonymous comment.
ReplyDeleteToronto is one of the most homophobic places in the world by neighbourhood. Hold hands at Jane and Finch, Yorkdale Mall, Eaton Centre, on Yonge Street, the Annex, Queen West, Queen East, Yonge and Sheppard ... are you kidding me? Impossible! Kiss you honey goodbye in a subway station off to work. This was a hate crime. The police are not really sympathetic, empathetic or even just when it comes to dealing with the community.
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