WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet introduced a resolution to honor the victims of the tragic anti-LGBTQ+ attack at Club Q in Colorado Springs last year.
“The Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ community lost a safe space and five innocent lives in a horrific act of violence a year ago,” said Hickenlooper. “Hate and bigotry have no place here. The tremendous strength and perseverance of this community is an example to us all. Everyone deserves the right to be who they are and love who they love without fear.”
“One year ago, Coloradans added five more names to the solemn toll of siblings, friends, and loved ones lost to mass shootings,” said Bennet. “It fills me with rage and sadness that this horrific tragedy happened, and it should remind the Senate of our need to take action. As we reflect on the Club Q attack, we must do everything we can to protect the LGBTQ+ community, stand firm against hate and discrimination, and end senseless gun violence.”
In the days after the attack, Hickenlooper and Bennet honored the Club Q shooting victims and called on Congress to pass the Respect for Marriage Act in a speech on the Senate floor.
The text of the resolution is available HERE and below.
Whereas, on November 19–20, 2022, a mass shooting took place at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs, Colorado;
Whereas 5 innocent victims were killed, 17 community members were injured by gunshot wounds, and 32 other community members sustained injuries, including mental and emotional trauma from witnessing this violent event;
Whereas the 5 innocent victims killed in the shooting were—
(1) Raymond Green Vance;
(2) Ashley Paugh;
(3) Daniel Aston;
(4) Kelly Loving; and
(5) Derrick Rump;
Whereas the State of Colorado came together for medical and funeral expenses for those affected by the shooting;
Whereas, at the time of the mass shooting, Club Q was 1 of only 3 dedicated LGBTQ+ safe spaces in Colorado Springs, Colorado;
Whereas the shooting brought further trauma and a feeling of loss of safety and security to members of the LGBTQ+ community;
Whereas the perpetrator of the attack had a history of homicidal behavior and hatefully targeted the individuals at Club Q because of their affiliation with the LGBTQ+ community;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, there were more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths in the United States according to provisional mortality data;
Whereas LGBTQ+ people are more than twice as likely to be a victim of gun violence than their heterosexual peers;
Whereas transgender people are over 4 times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault;
Whereas at least 356 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents motivated by hate were reported from June 2022 to April 2023 in the United States;
Whereas a wave of hateful rhetoric and legislative efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights and health care continues to sweep across the United States;
Whereas violence against LBGTQ+ people of the United States remains an evil and destructive form of identity-based hate that destroys lives and runs contrary to the values of the United States;
Whereas the people of the United States commend the club patrons Richard M. Fierro, Drea Norman, and Petty Officer Thomas James, whose bravery in disarming the perpetrator undoubtedly saved countless lives;
Whereas the people of the United States commend the service of the Colorado Springs Police Department that responded to and investigated the shooting and the prosecution team from the District Attorney’s Office of Colorado’s Fourth Judicial District that worked to bring the perpetrator to justice;
Whereas Club Q plans to reopen at a new location, and local community organizations, the city of Colorado Springs, survivors, and victims’ families are working together to establish a plan for a public memorial; and
Whereas the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado Springs, local social service organizations, and clinical partners are collaborating to open a new resource center to provide long term support for those impacted by the attack on Club Q, and the greater LGBTQ+ community: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes the 1 year remembrance of the anti-LGBTQ+ attack that occurred on November 19–20, 2022, at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and
(2) expresses continued solidarity and support to the survivors of the Club Q shooting, the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ community, and the families, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragedy.
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