Pride Toronto and The 519 are co-hosting a community vigil to bring people together in solidarity with our communities and allies in Colorado...
The attack on Club Q, a 2SLGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has left queer communities around the globe grieving. In solidarity, Pride Toronto and The 519 will be co-hosting a community vigil this Sunday, November 27 at The 519 in downtown Toronto.
Five people were killed and 18+ injured in the late night shooting at Club Q on November 19, the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honours the memory of the lives of transgender people who were victims of discriminatory violence. The attack has only heightened the trauma and tragedy that our communities face and the need for safer and protected spaces. “We are again reminded about how discrimination, hate, and violence against 2SLGBTQ+ people remains a sad reality that we must contend with every day,” says Sherwin Modeste, executive director, Pride Toronto.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2019, hate crimes targeting 2SLGBTQ+ communities were up 41% – the highest since 2009 – more than half of which were violent crimes (Egale, 2021), while a Trans Pulse Study (2020) showed that racialized trans and non-binary respondents experience higher levels of violence and harassment, even when compared to already high levels among non-racialized respondents.
We know Canada is not immune. Our bars, nightclubs, and beaches are sacred spaces where we can feel safe expressing our whole authentic selves. 2 Spirit, queer, and trans communities deserve safety everywhere, not merely safe spaces.
The community vigil honouring the victims and survivors of the attack on Club Q will take place at The 519 Ballroom [519 Church Street in Toronto] on Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 12:30 to 2:00pm. The 519 is an accessible space with a ramp, an elevator, and all-gender washrooms.
RELATED
– Before Club Q: A Brief History Of Attacks On LGBTQ+ Clubs
POST A COMMENT