Athlete Ally Responds to Deadly Mass Shooting at Colorado’s Club Q
November 20, 2022 — Athlete Ally responded today to news that on Saturday evening, a gunman entered an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado a killed at at least five people while injuring 25 others.
The shooting occurred on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to remember those who have died as a result of transphobic violence, and to honor those who remain resilient in the face of transphobic hate.
One Colorado, Colorado’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families, also released the following statement from Executive Director Nadine Bridges, MSW (she/her): “There are no words that will undo the horror that continues to devastate our communities,” said Nadine Bridges, Executive Director of One Colorado, Colorado’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families, in a released statement. “Our safe spaces continue to become places of grief, trauma, and sorrow due to gun violence, mass shootings, and the general disrespect for our human condition. Not one more life should be taken or lost. No one should feel unsafe to celebrate or live authentically in public. I commend the Colorado Springs first responders, police department, and the courageous Club Q community who worked swiftly to stop the violence. One Colorado calls on our local, state, and federal lawmakers to go beyond statements and condolences and take swift, exacting action to ensure public safety. It is imperative to protect every single person in our communities–especially our most vulnerable, on which gun violence has taken an enormous toll. To the courageous Club Q community who experienced this nightmare – I see you, One Colorado is here for you, and your LGBTQ+ community stands with you.”
“Our hearts break for the loved ones of those murdered last night, for those wounded, and for all of us for whom a LGBTQ bar is supposed to be a sanctuary of safety and community,” said Joanna Hoffman, Athlete Ally’s Director of Communications. “We deserve to have spaces where we can be fully who we are, without fear of hatred and violence.”
From One Colorado, we share the following resources for support:
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National Victims of Violent Crimes, 1-202-467-8700
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Colorado Crisis Services, 1-844-493-TALK (8225)
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Crisis Text Line, Text HOME to 741741
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Trevor Project, Text START to 678-678
Photo by Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez on Unsplash