BY ARIELLE ZERR, THE STARPHOENIX
'Amiable bear' led fight for equality
For more than four decades, Gens Hellquist worked tirelessly toward equality for gay and transgender people, in Saskatoon and across Canada.
"He was gentle with people seeking help, and courageous and relentless in facing those that would harm the people he loved - which was the community of sexually diverse people," said Don Cochrane, a University of Saskatchewan professor who knew Hellquist for years.
Hellquist, 65, died earlier (last) week. A gathering to celebrate his life (will be) held Thursday at the Roxy Theatre.
"He was an amiable bear, both in physical appearance and in demeanour," Cochrane said. Hellquist worked at the ground level for many of Saskatoon's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).
He started the first queer organization in Saskatoon in 1971, founded Saskatoon Gay and Lesbian Health Services in 1991 - now known as the Avenue Community Centre - and worked closely with AIDS Saskatoon.
He also the founded the Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition.
Hellquist helped numerous groups get their start. He served on the board of Breaking the Silence, a yearly conference on sexual orientation and gender identity. It honoured him with the Peter Corren award for his lifetime contributions to the LGBT community at its 2010 conference.
"There were things that he championed, and the things that he nurtured and found a safe footing (for)," Cochrane said.
Beyond his activism, many will remember him for the personal counselling he gave them as they came out.
"If we could have talked to Gens the day before he died and said, 'Tell us how you see the situation of sexual minorities today,' ... I think he would derive quite a bit of satisfaction over the last twenty years, and he was a strong influence in what's taken place," Cochrane said.
azerr@thestarphoenix.com twitter.com/arielle_zerr
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
A gathering to celebrate the life of Gens Hellquist will be held Thursday, October 10th at 2:00pm at the Roxy Theatre (320 20th St W.) in Saskatoon. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Avenue Community Centre.
'Amiable bear' led fight for equality
"He was gentle with people seeking help, and courageous and relentless in facing those that would harm the people he loved - which was the community of sexually diverse people," said Don Cochrane, a University of Saskatchewan professor who knew Hellquist for years.
Hellquist, 65, died earlier (last) week. A gathering to celebrate his life (will be) held Thursday at the Roxy Theatre.
"He was an amiable bear, both in physical appearance and in demeanour," Cochrane said. Hellquist worked at the ground level for many of Saskatoon's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).
He started the first queer organization in Saskatoon in 1971, founded Saskatoon Gay and Lesbian Health Services in 1991 - now known as the Avenue Community Centre - and worked closely with AIDS Saskatoon.
He also the founded the Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition.
Hellquist helped numerous groups get their start. He served on the board of Breaking the Silence, a yearly conference on sexual orientation and gender identity. It honoured him with the Peter Corren award for his lifetime contributions to the LGBT community at its 2010 conference.
"There were things that he championed, and the things that he nurtured and found a safe footing (for)," Cochrane said.
Beyond his activism, many will remember him for the personal counselling he gave them as they came out.
"If we could have talked to Gens the day before he died and said, 'Tell us how you see the situation of sexual minorities today,' ... I think he would derive quite a bit of satisfaction over the last twenty years, and he was a strong influence in what's taken place," Cochrane said.
azerr@thestarphoenix.com twitter.com/arielle_zerr
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
A gathering to celebrate the life of Gens Hellquist will be held Thursday, October 10th at 2:00pm at the Roxy Theatre (320 20th St W.) in Saskatoon. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Avenue Community Centre.
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