Vancouver LGBT pioneer ted northe dies at 76

LGBT communities are mourning the death of Canadian LGBT rights pioneer ted northe. He was 76 years old when he died on March 30 at St. Paul's Hospital.

northe was born in Cooking Lake, Alberta in 1937 and grew up in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.

He headed numerous campaigns for various LGBT causes, including the decriminalization of homosexuality, since 1958.

He also founded the Canadian chapter of the Imperial Court System, an international network of LGBT organizations that fundraise through costume balls and various events, in 1964. northe became the Empress of Canada in 1967.

What's more, northe was also a sponsor of Vancouver's first gay sports leagues, the first Vancouver Pride parade, the Greater Vancouver Native Cultural Society for two-spirited people, the Gay Businessmen's Guild, and the first openly gay breast cancer fundraiser (with the lesbian community).

He was also among the first group of inductees in the Q Hall of Fame in 2009.

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