(New York, NY - November 20, 2022) - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs that killed at least five people and injured nearly twenty others.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis responded on Twitter, and here:
"Our hearts are broken for the victims of the horrific tragedy in Colorado Springs, and their loved ones. This unspeakable attack has robbed countless people of their friends and family and an entire community's sense of safety. You can draw a straight line from the false and vile rhetoric about LGBTQ people spread by extremists and amplified across social media, to the nearly 300 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this year, to the dozens of attacks on our community like this one. That this mass shooting took place on the eve of on Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we honor the memory of the trans people killed the prior year, deepens the trauma and tragedy for all in the LGBTQ community. The media must stop spreading misinformation and elevate the truth that LGBTQ people exist, belong and want to live in peace and safety. Elected officials and corporate leaders must act immediately to prioritize this truth, and protect everyone's safety."
GLAAD stands in solidarity with Colorado's LGBTQ community and is working to support the efforts of One Colorado.
Today, November 20th, is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day created to mourn and reflect on the transgender people killed by violence over the past year. At least 32 trans people were killed over the last year, most of whom were transgender women of color. Transgender Awareness Week is marked in the days before Transgender Day of Remembrance to elevate transgender people and their stories.
More than 300 bills were proposed this year in state legislatures across the country, and more bills are being introduced to baselessly target drag performance, an art form that has existed for centuries and appreciated by mainstream audiences. The GLAAD Media Reference Guide has additional information to report on drag art and drag performers, here.
The GLAAD Media Reference Guide ( www.glaad.org/reference ) includes for up-to-date terms and definitions when talking about peoples' sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
About GLAAD:
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visitwww.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.
