Thank you West End

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Thank you West End

Queer community organizer remembered as advocate for underdog

Kate Webb, Metro Vancouver, April 10, 2012

A prominent community organizer and activist from Vancouver’s queer community, David Holtzman, died suddenly this week while on vacation with his partner in Palm Springs, Calif.

Andy Ivens, The Province, April 4, 2012

Transgender beauty queen Jenna Talackova is confused about whether she is in or out of the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant.

The stunning Vancouverite challenged U.S. businessman Donald Trump and the pageant he runs to clarify her status at a press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday, after being kicked out of the competition for not being a "naturally born" female.

Craig Takeuchi, Georgia Straight, March 26, 2012

Vancouver's Jenna Talackova was born female. That's what Vancouver-based Trans Alliance Society chair Marie Little and NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert insist.

The 23-year-old Talackova made international headlines and found herself at the centre of controversy when she was disqualified from Miss Universe Canada 2012 on March 23. The pageant's website states that Talackova, who was one of 65 finalists chosen on March 12, will no longer compete "because she did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form".