Colorado “Club Q” Shooting Summarized

On November 19th, a gunman shot and killed five people, injuring eighteen others at Club Q in Colorado Springs. A deeply religious and conservative town, this unfortunate event is essentially nothing new, especially being that Club Q is the only gay nightclub in the city. However, as community members rally around in support of LGBTQ+ people, there may seem to be a turning point in protection against Queer America. Sadly, it had to occur as a result of the deadliest attack on them this year so far. In fact, many are pointing out the resemblance this occasion bears to the shooting in Orlando at “Pulse” nightclub in 2016, which killed 49 people and wounded 53. 

There are no shortages of public shootings in the U.S, and in areas of alleged “safety” for queer-identifying people, they are particularly prevalent. The surviving victims of this one will not stand down, however. Because the 22 year-old suspect Anderson Lee Aldrich attacked on “Drag Divas” night, prompting an uproar from numerous drag queens. It is now seen as necessary for them to arm themselves and increase security at other shows and events they may host/attend, a regretful commonality in their fulcrum for decades upon decades. 

There has been no shortage of anti-gay rhetoric and an influx of efforts in further legislation against the community, aiming to restrict drag shows even more than before. On the flip side, however, Colorado lawmakers are proposing greater efforts to limit access to assault rifles.