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LisaLachance: I beg leave to make an introduction relevant to my members statement
Speaker: Please do.
Lisa Lachance: Today I’d like to welcome members of the ElderBerries to the legislature. The Elderberries is a community group for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals aged 50 and above although membership is flexible. In your gallery today we are joined by LynnMurphy and HowardHeyman? and in the west gallery the current Chair BarendKamperman.
Speaker: I recognize the honourable member for Halifax Citadel Sable Island
Lisa Lachance: Madam Speaker I rise today to remember RaymondTaavel. Raymond Taavel made Nova Scotia his home starting in the 1990s. He very quickly became involved in, as he said, community to be the change. He served on Halifax Pride and was co-chair with two early victories such as convincing HRM to declare Pride week and to fly the pride flag at Grand Parade Square. He was apart of NSRAP, InterPride, and a founding member of Fierté Canada Pride. Raymond died in an attack in 2012. This past summer the Elderberries honoured what would have been Raymond’s 60th birthday in the park that bears his name in Halifax, Raymond Taavel Park. It was a time to remember his formal accomplishments but also his spirit, courage, and community building. Madam speaker I ask that we all take to heart his motto of be the change.