Gay activist David Holtzman suffers fatal heart attack in Palm Springs
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Canadian gay activist David Holtzman died unexpectedly on Tuesday while vacationing with his partner in Palm Springs.
Sadly, Holtzman died without seeing the outcome of a trial of two men accused of gay- bashing him and his partner, Peter Regier, in 2010.
Raul Pacheco-Vega, a friend of Holtzman.
“David was an amazing individual, a generous community builder who would make every effort to make you welcome everywhere you went,” said the University of B.C. political science professor.
“He was a tireless individual who kept working for the queer community, and specifically for queer youth . . . It’s really a great loss to Vancouver’s queer community and more importantly, to Vancouver at large.”
He and Regier were gay bashed outside their Vancover condo in June of 2010. Two brothers, Parminder “Peter” Singh Bassi and Ravinder “Robbie” Singh Bassi of Richmond evidently punched and hurled homophobic slurs at the two gay men as the returned home from a night out. The couple suffered bruises, cuts and concussions and were treated in hospital.
Parminder “Peter” Singh Bassi and Ravinder “Robbie” Singh Bassi of Richmond, were arrested and charged with assault causing bodily harm. The trial against the two brothers accused of the biased attack began in March. Holtzman testified against them then. It is set to resume in October.
About Charles Winters
Charles Winters is the Chief Executive Officer and Editorial Director for our parent company (his namesake, Charles Winters Information Management) where he oversees such media outlets as GaySocialites.com, queerplanet.net, CouponAngel.us and FiDiNYC.info. He founded GaySocialites.com in 2005 and served as Editor-in-Chief until 2011. He still contributes to GaySocialites.com by regularly reporting news, penning a weekly op-ed piece and hosting our original television/ radio programs titled "GaySocialites.com presents..."
