Hi John,

Horrific. Senseless. Devastating.

These are some of the words I have repeatedly seen describing the attack at Club Q. But the one that has hit me the hardest? Predictable.

Last week, just days before the shooting, I was in a room with 40+ state leaders from across the country strategizing for next year. We talked about the opportunities in newly-pro-equality legislatures like Michigan and Minnesota, and how we can best defend against the anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, especially those targeting transgender young people. Being in that room gave me hope for the strength of our movement. But one thing stuck with me: leaders from across the country were concerned about the safety and security of our people, now more than ever before.

They told stories of Proud Boys and other extremist groups showing up at events, threats directed at their offices and staff, online harassment and doxxing of community leaders, and more. This is what happens when extremist candidates for office demonize the existence of transgender people in campaign ads and speeches, when the media is willing to use our lives as a topic to be debated in order to get clicks and views, and when legislators argue whether transgender youth can access lifesaving healthcare and play sports—all for political gain.

As long as LGBTQ+ people and our families are seen as a threat and used as political pawns, the killing of our people will continue to be predictable. But so will our rage.

This is why we fight. $50M in anti-transgender mailers sent to voters during the midterm election. Over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed in 2022. Literal lives being taken. This is why we keep fighting.

One Colorado, our state partner on the ground, has been fighting nonstop this week. They are working to support the victims, their families, and the survivors of this attack while sorting through how to rally and protect LGBTQ+ Coloradans in the aftermath.

We at Equality Federation are here to support One Colorado so they can support their communities across the state. During this week of gratitude and thankfulness, we need you to help us thank their team for all they are doing.

Join me in sending a note [[link removed]] of gratitude, appreciation, or care to the folks on the ground who woke up on Sunday to have their LGBTQ+ community forever changed.

This week more than ever, we are so thankful for this community, inspired by the way we show up for each other, and grateful for you.

In Solidarity,
Fran Hutchins
Executive Director
Equality Federation

Send a note to One Colorado staff [[link removed]]

If you need support, please contact one of the following resources.

Trans Lifeline [[link removed]] - (877) 565-8860
The Trevor Project [[link removed]]
National Victims of Violent Crimes [[link removed]]
Crisis Text Line [[link removed]] , Text HOME to 741741

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