WATCH: The news of Jim Deva’s death has shocked the Vancouver community. Leigh Kjekstad reports.
A well-known activist and member of Vancouver’s LGBTQ community has died.
Jim Deva, co-owner of the West End’s Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium, died following an accident in his backyard yesterday. The 65-year-old fell from a ladder while trimming plants in his yard and broke his neck.
Deva is best known for his 15-year battle with the Canada Border Services Agency over the store’s right to sell imported gay and lesbian books and magazines. The CBSA considered the literature obscene.
In 2000, the case went to the Supreme Court of Canada and Deva’s bookstore ultimately won.
In April, Deva’s book shop was awarded the Gray Campbell Distinguished Service Award, which was given by the Association of Book Publishers of B.C.
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