No grounds for $104 million suit against ‘gay zombies’ at Pride Parade: lawyers ask for case to be dropped
An Ontario judge reserved judgment after a motions hearing last week on the $104 million lawsuit against Bill Whatcott and others who marched in the 2016 Toronto Pride Parade disguised as “gay zombies” to distribute fliers on the spiritual and physical dangers of homosexuality. Whatcott’s lawyers, Charles Lugosi and John Findlay , argued in front of Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Perell on February 8-9 that the lawsuit is a “ SLAPP ” or “strategic lawsuit against public participation,” which has no legal merit, is an abuse of process and should be dismissed. Lugosi and Findlay also argued that the Toronto Pride Parade is a political, government-promoted event. Thus, the actions of Whatcott and the “gay zombies” are protected by Charter rights of freedom of speech and assembly. LGBTQ activist lawyer Douglas Elliott and Scott Fairley of Cambridge LLP argued on behalf of the plaintiffs for an order forcing Whatcott to disclose the identities of his fellow “gay zombies...