The senseless act of violence against the LGBTQ community happened overnight ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance.
November 20, 2022 — The Trevor Project — the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people — expressed mourning and solidarity in response to the overnight shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in which at least five people have died and 18 were injured.
“We are heartbroken for the victims, their families, and the Colorado LGBTQ community. The Trevor Project is here for LGBTQ young people who need help or support processing this tragic news,” said Kasey Suffredini (he/him), Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project. “LGBTQ people deserve to live their lives and access safe, affirming spaces and community without the threat of violence. We cannot allow our community’s sources of love, joy, and pride to become ones of fear and trauma. We must all come together to promote acceptance and condemn anti-LGBTQ violence and the rhetoric that incites it.”
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. 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.”
The Trevor Project’s polling has found that more than 70% of LGBTQ young people said the issue of gun violence often gives them stress or anxiety. In 2020, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death among youth ages 1 to 19, due to increases in both homicide and suicide rates.
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor all of the transgender and nonbinary lives lost to violence. According to The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, and nearly 1 in 5 attempted suicide. 37% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they have been physically threatened or harmed due to their gender identity.
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