In response to the deadly shooting over the weekend at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Janson Wu, executive director of the Boston-based GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), delivered the following statement:
We are devastated by the news of the deadly shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Our hearts are with the family members, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured, with the patrons and employees of Club Q and with the entire Colorado Springs community that is reeling from this horrific event.
As we mourn the senseless loss of life from another mass shooting, we once again join the call to say, enough: our leaders and our nation must take concrete action to stop the gun violence that continues to shatter lives across the country. The Colorado Springs community and communities everywhere deserve to live and gather in peace and safety.
Many of us woke to the news of this tragedy as we were preparing to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor the many lives lost annually to anti-transgender violence. This devastating shooting comes amid escalating violence directed against the LGBTQ+ community and should be a call to politicians and public officials to curb the rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric that adds fuel to that violence.
Last night’s devastating attack took place in what should be a safe space for community to gather. Our LGBTQ+ communities are beautiful and resilient. We send our love and support to our LGBTQ+ family in Colorado Springs, and we will continue working for a world where everyone has the freedom to be themselves and to be in community without the threat of violence or harm. We hope that this tragic event will remind each one of us to turn away from violence and away from hatred and towards kindness, love, and recognition of our common humanity.
Resources
If you need support, you are not alone.
- Statement from One Colorado
- The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ+ youth. To connect with a counselor, call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or chat online.
- TransLifeline is a trans-led organization that connects transgender people to the community, support, and resources. Call their hotline at 877-565-8860.
- SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline connects LGBTQ+ older people who want to talk with friendly responders who are ready to listen. Call 877-360-LGBT (5428).
- Colorado Crisis Services is a crisis support resource for Colorado residents. Call 1-844-493-TALK (8225), text “TALK” to 38255, or find a walk-in center near you.
- Crisis Text Line connects you to a volunteer Crisis Counselor through text message or WhatsApp. Text “HOME” to 741741. Visit their site for gun violence-specific resources.
Not a subscriber? Sign up today for a free subscription to Boston Spirit magazine, New England’s premier LGBT magazine. We will send you a copy of Boston Spirit 6 times per year and we never sell/rent our subscriber information. Click HERE to sign up!
