There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
According to Global Maritimes, Raymond Taavel will receive the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal posthumously. His partner, Darren Lewis, said that he knew Taavel had been nominated but was moved by the news. “[His family] were the first people I spoke with, and of course they’re just ecstatic. They can’t believe their little Raymond from Sault Ste Marie is going to be honoured in such a way,” he is reported to have said.
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to “honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.” Taavel was well known in Halifax for his work as a gay activist, as well as his work with Halifax Pride. Taavel was attacked in the early hours of April 17 on Gottingen Street and died as a result. Andre Noel Denny has been charged with second-degree. Denny was a patient at the East Coast Forensic Hospital, where he was out on a day pass. His trial has been put on hold until the court receives a psychological assessment, which is due to be released Nov 26.
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