Kenneth Zeller
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Zeller was a teacher
and librarian
in Toronto
, who was employed by Williamson Road Junior Public School and Western Technical-Commercial School
. He was the victim of a homophobic
hate crime
when he was beaten to death by five youths in Toronto's High Park. Zeller was allegedly cruising for sex
in the park at the time of the incident.
The crime received media coverage and was the subject of a play produced by Buddies in Bad Times
theatre, called Steel Kiss. The incident also spurred the Toronto District School Board
into implementing a program designed to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, who was employed by Williamson Road Junior Public School and Western Technical-Commercial School
Western Technical-Commercial School
Western Technical-Commercial School ' is a high school in the High Park North neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada. It shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy and The Student School. Originally two schools when it was opened, Western Technical and Western Commercial, the present school is...
. He was the victim of a homophobic
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
hate crime
Hate crime
In crime and law, hate crimes occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her perceived membership in a certain social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, social status or...
when he was beaten to death by five youths in Toronto's High Park. Zeller was allegedly cruising for sex
Cruising for sex
Cruising for sex, or cruising is the act of walking or driving about a locality in search of a sex partner, usually of the anonymous, casual, one-time variety...
in the park at the time of the incident.
The crime received media coverage and was the subject of a play produced by Buddies in Bad Times
Buddies in Bad Times
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a Canadian professional theatre company.Based in Toronto, Ontario and founded in 1978 by Matt Walsh, Jerry Ciccoritti, and Sky Gilbert, Buddies in Bad Times is dedicated to "the promotion of queer theatrical expression"....
theatre, called Steel Kiss. The incident also spurred the Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board, also known by the acronym TDSB, is the English-language public school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
into implementing a program designed to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation.