Vancouver queer community leader David Holtzman's life to be celebrated at public memorial

Vancouverites will have a chance to honour and celebrate the life of respected queer community organizer, activist, and bon vivant David Holtzman (1959-2012).

The death of Holtzman, due to a heart attack while vacationing in Palm Springs in April, was a shock to various local communities and his loss was deeply felt by many.

A public memorial service will be held on the summer solstice (which was one of Holtzman's favourite days) on Wednesday (June 20) at 7 p.m. at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews).

A short service will be followed by a party, with a cash bar (with proceeds going to Out in Schools), where attendees are encouraged to share their stories about Holtzman.

Out on Screen, where he worked as director of operations and human resources, has created a fund, in consultation with his family, to honour his memory and work.

The David Holtzman Diversicorn Fund will benefit Out in Schools, an Out on Screen program that addresses homophobia and bullying in high schools and was particularly close to Holtzman's heart.

The Diversicorn, a unicorn with a rainbow-coloured horn, was a symbol of inclusion that was created by students who entered an Out in Schools contest and was one that Holtzman was particularly fond of.

Donations to the fund can now be made online at the Out on Screen website (or call Leslie Thompson at the Out on Screen office at 604-844-1615).

You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at twitter.com/cinecraig. You can also follow the Straight's LGBT coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/StraightLGBT.