Quebec LGBTQ rights pioneer Laurent McCutcheon dies at 77

Laurent McCutcheon, a leading figure in the fight forLGBTQ rights in Quebec, died Thursday after receiving medical assistance in dying, his husband said on Friday.

McCutcheon was diagnosed with cancer in December 2016.

A prominent voice for gay rights for more than 35 years,McCutcheon had recently taken on a role as vice-president of agroup that advocates for the right to medically assisted death.

McCutcheon, a civil servant, publicly committedhimself in the early 1970s to the gay rights cause in Montrealfollowing the 1969 Stonewall riots.

Even as homosexuality remained taboo inother parts of the province, McCutcheon actively engaged in theAssociation for the Defence of Gay and Lesbian Rights in Quebec.

Between 1982 and 2013, he presided over "Gaicoute," atelephone help line, and in 2000 set up a the Fondationmergence,an organization that educates and raises awareness about therealities of LGBTQ people.

McCutcheon was behind the Quebec Coalition for the Recognition ofSame-Sex Couples, and was vocal in the fight to have same-sexmarriage recognized.

McCutcheon's husband Pierre Sheridan took to Facebook to thank the palliative home care team fortheir care, "allowingLaurent to live an end of life in dignity, serenely and withoutsuffering."

Numerous tributes were shared online following news of McCutcheon's death,including one by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"We've lost a great Quebecer. Our country is a better, moreinclusive place because of Laurent McCutcheon and his tireless workto advocate for LGBTQ2 rights and fight homophobia. We'll missyou," Trudeau wrote.