On Saturday, November 19, 2022, the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, the 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, plus) community was violently attacked at Club Q in Colorado Springs. The tragic shooting, which claimed five lives and injured many more, is a flashpoint in a year that has seen escalating threats against 2SLGBTQ+ performers, educators, and healthcare providers, as well as a record-breaking year for legislation targeting transgender youth.
Project Rainbow's 2022 Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony in Salt Lake City displayed 323 names of trans people whose lives were taken too soon. Now a few more names will be added as the victims' identities from this tragic shooting become public.
2SLGBTQ+ people and our allies must not be intimidated into silence or made to fear for our lives just because of who we are. Although we are no strangers to heartache and grief, we will take time and space to mourn this tremendous loss in our community and heal together. And, as always, we will continue to live our lives, honor our loved ones, and celebrate the lives of those who came before us. 2SLGBTQ+ people deserve to live free from violence regardless of who we are or whom we love.
Knowing that mass tragedies affect each of us differently, Nick Arteaga, the ACLU of Utah's Trans Rights Organizer, compiled the following list of resources people can turn to for help.
To the beautiful and amazing members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community: you matter, we see you, we support you, and you are loved.
