Redeemer University student Bekett Noble's death has sparked anger, compassion, conversation
Since the death of Redeemer University student Bekett Noble and their heart-rending email sent out to the community, there has been a torrent of responses from the Hamilton and nearby communities expressing sorrow, compassion, anger and sympathy.
The Genesis Club, founded by Noble to provide a place of community, conversation and compassion" for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students at Redeemer, said in a statement: We indeed have felt grief and pain, yet want to move forward in a spirit of hope."
Club representatives said they have been holding space" for LGBTQ+ students to grieve the loss of Noble, while also continuing to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community campus.
Noble, 34, a non-binary person who took their own life Nov. 23 at Redeemer University, sent out an email hours before their death detailing their experience to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ students
Hashtags #DoBetterForBekett and #HoldRedeemerAccountable were soon launched and continue to attract followers reflecting on a multitude of emotions of Noble's passing, posting images of them and urging the community to do more to continue their fight for a better community.
There have been calls from the public questioning Redeemer University's public funding, while at the same time critical of education institutions' Christian teachings, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ students.
Bad theology is killing people and should not be funded by taxpayer money," stated one post by Alexa Barkley.
@Jysster stated on Twitter that Bekett's last actions, last words were a protest. It was said today that death felt more welcoming than the halls of Redeemer.' If that doesn't rock you to your core, I don't know what will."
But Noble's death has also revealed the ongoing ugly conflicts between LGBTQ+ community members, their allies, other members of the community and the university as they called out people who attack them.
SWAP Hamilton, in a message, said it was banned from a Hamilton sub-Reddit for posting about Bekett Noble. You have been permanently banned from participating in r/Hamilton. You can still view and subscribe to r/Hamilton, but you won't be able to post or comment."
In a personal letter to the community and Redeemer University, Jason, who asked their last name not be used, detailed university life for a queer student.
You are not alone," said Jason, who graduated in 2009 and now works as a copywriter. There is absolutely no fault in living as your true and authentic self."
Referring to the queer and allied alumni of Redeemer, Jason stated: This is our time to speak up. We've all been through it to varying degrees. Many of us weren't out' at Redeemer, but we are now. We are older, more mature and have the voices to speak out. It's our responsibility as elders to stay with this issue and help back up the current students pushing for change."
Other former Redeemer students have sent messages to the university concerned about the environment that LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students are experiencing from staff and other students.
Karol De Stefano of Free Mom Hugs, which organized a vigil and rally Dec. 18 at Hamilton City Hall in memory of Noble, said taxpayers' money should be stopped flowing to an institution that condones homophobia."
Redeemer and schools like it will soon find out that religious rights are in fact institutionalized rights that should never supersede individual rights," said De Stefano.
Ancaster Coun. Craig Cassar, who read a statement at the rally on behalf of Ward 2 Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, said he remains committed to protecting the rights of all Hamiltonians regardless of their diverse, gender or cultural beliefs.
Kroetsch, who was unable to attend the vigil because he was isolating with his family, stated for too long the LGBTQ+ community has been ignored by the political and education institutions of Hamilton. He said even Hamilton's city hall forecourt had been taken over by hate groups. But the vigil, rally and the municipal election that voted in new councillors such as Cassar and Kroetsch in October prove that there is a movement to take back city hall for the betterment of all people in the city.
Bekett left us with a plan for action," said De Stefano. It is up to us now to pick up the baton."