Rob Faoro, who led the Vancouver Police Department's investigation of Webster's murder. "I hate to say this, poor Aaron, but his murder opened the door big-time," said Sgt. The atrocity also united the West End - an area that remains a hub for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered residents and resources - to a degree that surprises many, 10 years later. The Qmunity visit at Waverly School is just one example of that transformation. They weren't, but advocates, residents and authorities agree that Webster's death moved the city to take gay-bashing more seriously, and to close ranks against violence.
#Gay definition webster trial
The violent attack became known as Canada's most prominent gay-bashing.ĭespite the teens' claims at trial that they were prowling for "peeping toms" and not out to attack gays, many authorities and citizens believed the murder had the markings of a hate crime, and that the attackers, convicted of manslaughter, should have been sentenced under the Criminal Code's hate crime designation. Court documents show he called EMS, but by the time help arrived, Webster, 41, couldn't be saved. Webster's close friend Tim Chisholm found his battered body. The gang may have continued their vicious attack but panicked when someone heard a car approach. They swung multiple blows to his head, neck and body.
Webster attempted to run toward the parking lot where he had left his car but the teens struck him down. The four teens, raging on beer, vodka and testosterone, later testified that they were looking to "beat up" someone there on that cold November night in 2001.
The hiking trail was known as the city's most popular gay stroll, a place where men could meet for anonymous sex. "And what's the difference between saying you hate someone and saying they're 'gay' or 'a fag'?" Wolfe asked the class.Īaron Webster stood naked smoking a cigarette in a secluded area of Vancouver's Stanley Park when he was spotted by a gang of teenage boys wielding baseball bats and a golf club. The leaders explained the term and urged the kids to consider their word choices. "How many people," she asked, "have heard the word 'fag' in school?"Ī dozen small hands went up. Please enable JavaScript before you proceed. Your browser either doesn't support JavaScript or you have it turned off.
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