IN MEMORIAM

Canadian HIV and LGBT Advocate Jack Layton Died Today

Canadian New Democrat leader Jack Layton died today at the age of 61 after a bout with prostate cancer. Layton fought for HIV/AIDS activism since the epidemic’s start and whipped up votes to help get same-sex marriage passed nationwide in Canada. He leaves behind a wife and two kids.

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By: Daniel Villarreal
On: Aug 22, 2011
Tagged: Canada, HIV, Jack Layton

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11 Comments

No. 1 · PazMateo
R.I.P. to a great guy. He really worked for positive social change.

But, am I the only one who totally thought that was Jeff from Intervention in the picture??

Aug 22, 2011 at 2:32 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 2 · Sean Barron
Just an FYI it was not prostate cancer. We do not know what cancer it was. He recovered from his prostate cancer last year.

Aug 22, 2011 at 3:10 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 3 · Jim B
Overlooked the most obvious political thing… Jack Layton was the Official Leader of the Opposition, the #2 party in Parliament

Aug 22, 2011 at 4:48 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 4 · Little Kiwi
Layton led the NDP to an historic win earlier this year. He will be incredibly missed. I remember my younger gay days in Toronto, and seeing him in the village – out talking to the community, getting to know us, hearing out stories, sharing his support.

he marched with his amazing wife in our pride parades. this was a man that made me proud to be Canadian.

you will be missed, Jack.

Aug 22, 2011 at 5:05 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 5 · nineinchnail · Member · 154 comments
Even though Jack’s politics were very different to my own political views you have to admit that Canadian politics has lost a fighter.

Aug 22, 2011 at 6:11 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 6 · jj
this is terrible news for Canada. The ndp party made historic gains last election because of jack not so much because of the ndp itself. They better elect a new charismatic leader, and fast. RIP

Aug 22, 2011 at 6:19 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 7 · Matthew
Rest in peace, Mr. Layton. You were one of our finest.

Aug 22, 2011 at 9:38 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 8 · Ruhlmann · Member · 106 comments
It isn’t in me to vote NDP but I admired Jack Layton. He kept the left and right honest.

Aug 22, 2011 at 10:22 pm · @Reply · Flag
No. 9 · NSRob
I remember the first pride parade I saw Jack at. Wearing his pink bandana and just so excited to be there – after his speech I realized why a lot of people liked him.

Aug 23, 2011 at 10:08 am · @Reply · Flag
No. 10 · holla
He was also extremely active in protesting bathhouse raids in the 1970s, founding several community organizations for queer youth, and consistently advocating on our behalf. A great straight ally!

Aug 23, 2011 at 10:51 am · @Reply · Flag
No. 11 · Ryan
I’m so glad this was posted!

Aug 23, 2011 at 3:08 pm · @Reply · Flag