Statements on the Tragedy at Club Q, Colorado Springs
The following are official statements from the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission and our partners at The Los Angeles LGBT Center and The LGBTQ Center Long Beach in response to the mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs.
Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission
LA vs Hate, a program of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, collaborates closely with partners such as the LA LGBTQ Center; the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach and the TransLatin@ Coalition. We share the grief, sadness and anger of yet another horrific shooting of last Saturday, November 19 in Colorado Springs targeting an LGBTQ+ Bar.
In response to the mass shooting last Saturday at Club Q, LA vs Hate reminds county residents that LA vs Hate stands ready to assist in responding to these anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes with messages of safety and inclusion for all. On Saturday, LA vs Hate United Against Hate Week closed with Transgender Day of Remembrance. Today, we also honor the five individuals lost in Colorado Springs, and commit to honoring their legacy with action here in Los Angeles County.
LA vs Hate is a county-wide program dedicated to building safe, inclusive communities. A signature component of this program is that anyone in LA County impacted by hate acts can seek help through the LA vs Hate reporting line by calling 211-LA or reporting hate online. 211LA and partner agencies provide in-language case management services, using a team approach to link victims of hate with needed resources.
The program also supports Los Angeles county’s concerted efforts to express solidarity and community building through solidarity events, bystander trainings, GIFS, stickers and messaging on social media; art interventions; yard signs and posters. A network of community- based partners helps victims and communities impacted by hate with solidarity events, from vigils to marches. Today, LA vs Hate stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and works to ensure residents realize unity, solidarity and respect for all who live in Los Angeles county’s diverse communities.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Los Angeles LGBT Center Expresses Heartbreak, Outrage Following LGBTQ Bar Shooting in Colorado Springs.
While the situation is still unfolding, reports confirm that at least five people were killed with another 18 injured in an event involving an active shooter at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs. The shooting occurred on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day which honors members of our trans and gender nonconforming family whose lives have been lost to hate and violence. Club Q had reportedly planned to honor TDOR today—making this gruesome attack particularly pointed. Today, in addition to those we name for Transgender Day of Remembrance, we also honor the five we lost in Colorado Springs, and commit to honoring their legacy with action.
“The Los Angeles LGBT Center expresses our solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs as we collectively mourn those who were senselessly killed in another act of gun violence last night at Club Q. We extend our love to all those who were injured by or witnessed the attack, and thank the first responders and bar patrons who subdued the active shooter,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner. “While the motives of the attack still remain unclear, it’s important—on today of all days—that we name and condemn the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ violence, rhetoric, and political maneuvering in this country. The Center vows to continue to do everything we can to condemn hatred and keep our community safe.”
The Los Angeles LGBT Center remains committed to ensuring that all LGBTQ people—especially those most at risk in our trans community—can thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. If you have experienced hate violence and need assistance, please contact the Center’s Anti-Violence Project at 323-993-7673.
Joe Hollendoner, MSW
Chief Executive Officer, Senior Executive Team
Pronoun: He
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
With a mixture of anger and despondency, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach laments the invasion of a LGBTQ+ safe space by violence and hatred. We deplore the easy access to weaponry and a society where anti-LGBTQ sentiments are tolerated. We want the haters to know that acts like these only strengthen and unite the LGBTQ+ community and you have failed.
To those in our community, we encourage self-care practices and if needed, see a therapist. The Center provides free to low-cost mental health services. To those in Colorado Springs who we have lost and those that are hurting, we send a rainbow full of healing and love.
