Cloudburst Consulting Group is deeply saddened and angered by the Club Q shootings in Colorado Springs, CO that left five members of the LGBTQIA+ community dead and many others injured on Saturday, the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance. As we mourn those killed at Club Q, we also remember and honor the lives of the 32 transgender and gender non-conforming people who were killed in 2022. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues and partners in the LGBTQIA+ community as we process this devastating news.
We believe this hateful violence is a form of gender-based violence. Recently Cloudburst launched a Gender-based Violence Practice Area to support federal, state, and local responses to survivors of harmful acts directed at them because of their gender, including gender identity. Gender-based violence, including domestic and sexual violence, is rooted in sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression that perpetuate, and are perpetuated by, harmful gender role stereotypes. More than two-thirds of mass shootings are domestic violence incidents or are perpetrated by shooters with a history of domestic violence. Indeed, the Club Q shooter had previously threatened violence against his mother with multiple weapons. While gender-based violence negatively impacts all of us, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ survivors, and those from historically marginalized communities have far fewer options and resources to access safety. Cloudburst understands that LGBTQIA+ hate violence will end when perpetrators of gender-based violence are held accountable and all survivors can access safety.
As we process another mass shooting, it matters that we take the time to care for ourselves, our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and loved ones. Below are resources and referrals that may be helpful for anyone who needs trauma-informed care and support following the shooting in Colorado Springs.
National Center for Transgender Equity – https://transequality.org/issues/anti-violence
The LGBT National Help Center – https://www.lgbthotline.org/
The Trevor Project – https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects – https://avp.org/ncavp/
The National Council on Family Relations – https://www.ncfr.org/resources/resource-collections/support-resources-lgbtq-individuals-and-families
Trans Lifeline – https://translifeline.org/
It Gets Better – https://itgetsbetter.org/
GLSEN – https://www.glsen.org/
Matthew Shepard Foundation – https://www.matthewshepard.org/