Our Board Chair Dr. Kristyn Brandi, ob/gyn and abortion provider in New Jersey, responds to the Club Q tragedy in Colorado Springs:
“We are horrified and heartbroken by the targeted gun violence that occurred in Colorado Springs. We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the five people who had their lives taken away from them. November is Transgender Awareness Month, and the shooting took place on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance – a day to honor the memory of the transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.”
“Clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ+ history. They were often the only safe gathering place for LGBTQ+ people and this horrific act strikes directly at the community’s sense of safety.”
“It cannot be ignored that this cruel act came as a result of hateful rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community that is coming from all angles – from our schools, within our health care system, and from the mouths of state and federal policy makers. Queer, trans, and gender-diverse people deserve to be able to live authentic and joyful lives, free from discrimination and the threat of violence. PRH is in solidarity with the queer community in Colorado Springs and all LGBTQ+ people as we work to create a world where all queer people can thrive.”
“We encourage everyone to donate blood if they are able to assist the victims. Find a location: https://vitalant.org/.
We recognize that even at this moment, the FDA still maintains cruel standards about who can and cannot give blood. The FDA must change these standards.
Check One Colorado’s social media for more info about community vigils: @OneColorado.
Club Q has requested donations be sent to the Colorado Healing Fund, which will support those directly affected by this tragedy: coloradogives.org/donate/COHealingFund.”