PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 25, 2023

Official Press Release Download

CLUB Q ‘DISGUSTED’ BY ANTI-LGBTQIA+ LEGISLATION

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Saturday, March 25, 2023 — On November 19th, 2022 Club Q was targeted and fell victim to the horrific mass shooting in Colorado Springs. We lost two of our bartenders that night: Daniel Aston and Derrick Rump. Our community lost three patrons, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Raymond Green Vance.

In the United States, 2023 has been a record breaking year for anti-LGBTQ legislation. This legislation has particularly targeted the transgender community and drag performers. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), at least 385 anti-LGBTQ laws have been introduced at the state level in a majority of US states. These laws have continued to be introduced in legislatures all across the country, even now. We are frankly disgusted by legislators who continue to attack vulnerable populations, such as the trans community, especially after losing both Daniel and Kelly to this horrific act of hatred. Club Q is unwavering in its support of all LGBTQIA+ people, and as these laws continue to be proposed across our country, we are calling on our allies to stand up for equality and human rights.

Just as our local community experienced on November 19th, 2022, it is clear that our entire community is under attack. The core of violent attacks against our community is the same as the core behind these 385 proposed laws: hatred. For twenty years, Club Q has been a safe place and refuge for people who experience rejection, hatred and abandonment. Club Q has been, and will always be a place for new friendships to be formed, new chosen families to be built, and somewhere where we can feel safe in a country that insists on backpedaling on very important issues. We strongly condemn any legislation that attacks our community. 

We believe the United States should be a country where every person can exist freely, without persecution, regardless of class or creed. We must get involved in every town, city and state in this country, and continue to fight for change and demand respect. We ask that every single person get out and vote – we must not only fight for change, we must demand it with our vote. Please visit www.vote.org to get involved today. While we cannot go back and rewrite the horrific events of November 19th, 2022, we believe we must now honor them with action. We hope you will join us in fighting for the transgender community and drag performers all across our country.

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