Last Updated 12/2/2022

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VIGILS & COMMUNITY GATHERINGS

For more events and community gatherings, click here.

WAYS TO SUPPORT:

• Club Q has requested donations be sent to the Colorado Healing Fund, which will support those directly affected by this tragedy.
• Many people have started fundraisers in response to the shooting at Club Q. Some are legitimate and we are grateful for their initiative. Some are fraudulent. Please be do your due diligence in selecting fundraisers to support by contacting the hosts to make sure they have a plan to disperse the funds effectively.
• We are so appreciative of every individual and organization who reaches out to offer services and support, and are working to track, organize and reach out to every inquiry. Please fill out this form to let us know how you can help.

RESOURCES:

• One Colorado & GLAAD no longer have folks on-site to support at the Satellite Hotel. Please go to UCCS for immediate support services on Monday & Tuesday, November 28th-29th, 8am through 7pm.

• El Paso County Public health has activated an emergency response to support the community in response to the Club Q shooting. Coordination is underway to support a family resource center with behavioral health resources and partners. Find more info here.
• TrevorSpace is an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24. Sign up and start a conversation now.
• Tips on processing violence with youth, find this resource from the National Association of School Psychologists.
• The Survivors Toolkit is meant to guide survivors of gun violence through the pain of the first few weeks following a shooting, and offers suggestions for getting involved in the GVP movement for those who are so inclined. The toolkit's first part is dedicated to healing, and the second to advocacy.

UPDATES:

11/22/2022 The 5 beautiful souls whose lives were taken:

• Ashley Paugh, she/her, 35. Drove up from La Junta for a day trip to the Springs. Leaves behind her husband and 11-year-old daughter.
• Daniel Aston, he/him, 28. Bartender and frequent performer at Club Q. Moved to Colorado two years ago with his parents. He loved 80s music and was the life of the party.
• Raymond Green Vance, he/him, 22. Went to Club Q to enjoy a show with his girlfriend, her parents, and friends; they were celebrating a birthday. His closest friend describes him as gifted, one-of-a-kind, and willing to go out of his way to help anyone.
• Derrick Rump, he/him, 38. Bartender at Club Q. He bought lashes and outfits for drag queens who couldn’t afford them, and during the pandemic, when all of the performers lost their jobs, he bought other people’s groceries for two months straight.
• Kelly Loving, she/her, 40. She was from Memphis and moved to Colorado about a month ago. Friends describe her as compassionate, generous and trusting. "She didn’t care what anybody thought about her or who she was because she knew she was genuine in her heart and that’s what mattered."

Army veteran, Rich Fierro, has been identified as one of the people who took down the shooter. He was unarmed, at Club Q to celebrate a birthday and attend a drag show with his daughter and her boyfriend, Raymond Green Vance, who was fatally shot. Read more.There have been conflicting reports of the identity of the second hero who took down the shooter but we can confirm that she is a trans woman who does not want to be named at this time.The suspect remains hospitalized and is being held on preliminary charges for murder and hate crimes. Official charges have not yet been filed. Read more.

‍On Monday, November 21,  Governor Jared Polis, our nation's first openly gay governor, issued a request that all public buildings lower flags to half-staff for the next five days to honor the victims of the Colorado Springs Club Q mass shooting. A Pride flag will also be flown at the State Capitol. The remembrance will go into effect from sunrise Monday through sunset Saturday, 5 days to remember each of the 5 individuals who lost their lives. Read more.

One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Coloradans and their families issued the following statements in response to the mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs.

“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.”

‍– Nadine Bridges, MSW (she/her), One Colorado Executive Director

“I’m in shock and heartbroken by the news that this happened in my own community here in Colorado Springs. Personally, Club Q has been a huge part of my life and, as one of the very few safe spaces for queer folks in the area, I know it has been so important to many others. It’s devastating that someone would intentionally target a safe space. My heart is with the whole city because this impacts us all. In times like this, it can feel isolating but we need to lean on each other and be in community because all we have is each other. There is a tomorrow—we just need to figure out what that looks like and how we are going to shape it together.”

‍– Stoney Bertz (he/they), One Colorado Southern Colorado Field Organizer

At least 5 have died and 18 were injured. The shooting takes place on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. One Colorado extends our deepest care and condolences to our community members in Colorado Springs and to everyone who has been impacted by gun violence. We offer the following resources for support in the immediate aftermath:

1. National Victims of Violent Crimes, 1-202-467-8700
2. Colorado Crisis Services, 1-844-493-TALK (8225)
3. Crisis Text Line, Text HOME to 741741
4. Trevor Project, Text START to 678-678

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, in Colorado:

• The rate of gun deaths has increased 41% from 2011 to 2020 in Colorado, compared to a 33% increase nationwide. This means that in 2020 there were 349 more gun deaths than in 2011.
• In Colorado, the rate of gun suicide increased 28% and gun homicide increased 103% from 2011 to 2020, compared to a 12% increase and 70% increase nationwide, respectively.
• In an average year, 850 people die by guns.
• With a rate of 14.5 deaths per 100,000 people, Colorado has the 22nd-highest rate of gun deaths in the US.