This resolution recognizes the third commemoration of the anti-LGBTQ+ attack at Club Q in Colorado Springs and expresses Congress's solidarity with the affected community.
Michael Bennet
Senator
CO
This resolution recognizes the third commemoration of the tragic anti-LGBTQ+ mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Congress honors the five victims lost and the many injured in the attack on this vital LGBTQ+ safe space. The resolution commends the bravery of those who disarmed the shooter and acknowledges ongoing community efforts to provide support and remembrance. It expresses continued solidarity with the survivors and the entire Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ community.
Congress Recognizes Club Q Anniversary, Expresses Solidarity with Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Community
This resolution is all about recognition and remembrance. It officially acknowledges the third anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that occurred on November 19, 2022. It’s Congress expressing its sense of the tragedy, naming the five victims—Raymond Green Vance, Ashley Paugh, Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, and Derrick Rump—and formally recognizing the trauma inflicted on the community.
More Than a Moment of Silence
While this is a non-binding resolution—meaning it doesn't change any laws or allocate new funding—it serves as a powerful statement of solidarity. The text highlights that Club Q was a dedicated safe space and that the attack caused a profound loss of security for the LGBTQ community nationwide. It also grounds the tragedy in a broader context, citing FBI data on the 622 anti-LGBTQ hate crimes reported in 2022, alongside the staggering number of overall firearm-related deaths that year, according to the CDC. For anyone concerned about rising hate-based violence, this resolution confirms that Congress is looking at the data and acknowledging the specific vulnerability of the LGBTQ community.
Commending Courage and Community Support
The resolution doesn't just focus on the loss; it also commends the extraordinary bravery of patrons Richard M. Fierro, Drea Norman, and Petty Officer Thomas James, who intervened to disarm the perpetrator. This act, the resolution notes, likely saved countless lives. It also recognizes the ongoing, practical efforts on the ground, acknowledging that the State of Colorado provided assistance for medical and funeral expenses. Furthermore, it highlights the collaboration between the LGBTQ community, social service organizations, and clinical partners to open a new resource center, offering long-term support for those impacted. For survivors and families, this formal recognition is a validation of their pain and the difficult work of healing, confirming that their struggle is seen at the federal level.