Celebrities Speak Out Following Tragedy at an LGBTQ Nightclub in Colorado Springs
At least five people were killed in last night's shooting.
On Nov. 19, there was a shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At least five people died and an additional 18 were injured. While a definitive motive has not been confirmed, hate-filled rhetoric targeting the LGBTQ+ community is very intense right now and likely has to do with the gunman's actions.
As reported by NBC News, Colorado State Deputy Chief Adrian Vasquez said at a press conference on Nov. 20, "While the suspect was inside of the club, at least two heroic people inside the club confronted and fought with the suspect and were able to stop the suspect from continuing to kill and harm others. We owe them a great debt of thanks."
Many celebrities have taken to social media to respond to the tragedy.
Andy Cohen, the host of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, wrote on Twitter, "What a sad morning in America. Perhaps this sick attack in Colorado will cause politicians to think twice before fanning flames of homophobia. Let people be who they are for once and for all."
Hilarie Burton, who has spoken out a lot lately in support of equality and LGBTQ+ rights and representation, particularly regarding comments made by Candace Cameron Bure, also commented on the shooting in Colorado Springs.
She said, "THIS! This is why we have to speak out against bigotry of any kind - even the 'aren’t-I-cute-girl-next-door' bullshit that I called out last week. The bigotry of @GAfamilyTV is the most dangerous kind. It normalizes exclusion under the guise of 'protecting traditional values.'"
Burton continued in a thread, highlighting points in history when people used the excuse of defending tradition to promote hate and exclusion, such as when Ruby Bridges was attacked with slurs and extremism when she attended a previously all-white school after Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka Kansas ended segregation in public schools.
Actor George Takei tweeted, "Today is #TransDayofRemembrance when we honor and remember trans lives taken by violence. How horrifying that a deadly attack upon the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs should occur right before this solemn day. Hate isn’t born in us. It is taught. It must end." He then encouraged people to pressure political leaders to take action against the "hate and bigotry."
Jeffrey Wright, who starred in Westworld and The Batman, pointed out the fact that the gunman at Club Q was arrested last year after his mother reported him for "threatening to cause harm to her with a homemade bomb, multiple weapons, and ammunition," according to the media release.
Wright wrote, "Suspect in the Colorado Springs club shooting arrested June of last year. Still roaming around with guns & malice last night."
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