One year ago this Wednesday, Raymond Taavel was found attacked on Gottingen Street in Halifax in the early morning. He would soon die from his wounds. Taavel was a well-known fixture of Halifax’s rainbow community and an activist.
Later that evening, hundreds of people would stand on the street where he was found, remembering who he was and what he stood for.
In light of the first anniversary of that event, Halifax Pride is asking Haligonians to remember Taavel by placing rainbow flags in their windows, an echo of last year’s happening.
“In organizing this we weren’t looking to do something that was a media event, or an event at all really,” says Adam Reid, Halifax Pride’s communications coordinator. “We want to give people a way to mark the day, express their grief, celebrate Raymond’s life and hopefully find some comfort. People were so touched by the number of flags that sprung up around town last year following Raymond’s life, we wanted to replicate that moment and the comfort it brought people.”
Reid notes that there will also be gatherings held at Menz Bar and The Company House between 5 and 7pm, “so people won’t feel alone in their grief.” He expects that “many people will just want a hug and someone to talk to.”
When asked about the ongoing and much-delayed trial for Andre Denny, who stands as the accused in Taavel’s death, Reid says, “We’re really just focused on celebrating and remembering the friend we lost.”
You can find out more at the Facebook event page.
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