Hudson Pride Center Executive Director Elizabeth Schedl is weighing in on the deadly shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ venue in Colorado, that left at least five dead and 25 injured.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Like everyone, we at Hudson Pride Center are devastated to learn about the horrific attack that has taken place at Club Q,” she said in a statement.
“We deserve to feel safe, we deserve to feel loved, we deserve to feel accepted, and we deserve to live our lives fully without fear of being attacked for being our authentic selves. Hudson Pride stands with and mourns together with our LGBTQ+ community and all those affected by this tragedy.”
The shooting, which occurred on the eve of Sunday’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, was allegedly committed by Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22.
He is facing five murder charges and five charges of committing a bias-motivated crime causing bodily injury and remains hospitalized due to unspecified injuries, the Associated Press reported.
Authorities are still investigating as to whether or not the incident was a hate crime.
Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino said they are “heartbroken” to hear about another attack on the LBTQ+ community.
“We are heartbroken to learn of another senseless attack against our community—on the eve of a day we remember all those in our trans community who have lost their lives to violence, no less,” he said.
“It is a stark reminder that despite the progress the LGBTQ+ community has made, the threat of discrimination and violence against us just for being who we are is still very real. Garden State Equality will continue to work towards a world where people can live authentically without fear.”
A GoFundMe page created for the families and survivors of the shooting has already raised $546,105 towards their $750,000 goal as of 6:23 p.m. this evening.
