Nancy Pelosi blames ‘MAGA Republicans’ for transphobic hate after Colorado Springs shooting
Nancy Pelosi thanked the first responders who were at Club Q in Colorado Springs following the shooting. (Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker)
Nancy Pelosi has condemned “shameless bigotry” towards the LGBTQ+ community in a statement marking Transgender Day of Remembrance, blaming “MAGA Republicans” for “cruelly undermining the safety and wellbeing of our transgender community”.
Just one day after a horrific shooting at LGBTQ+ venue Club Q in Colorado Springs, Pelosi marked the remembrance day by condemning the “scourge of transphobic violence” affecting the US.
Five people were killed and 25 more were injured when a gunman opened fire at Club Q on Saturday (19 November), just minutes before Transgender Day of Remembrance began.
Three victims have been identified so far; bartenders Daniel Aston and Derrick Rump, as well as trans woman Kelly Loving.
‘Horrified by shameless bigotry’
Marking Transgender Day of Remembrance, Pelosi said: “Today, and every day, let us offer comfort to grieving loved ones, honour the memory of those killed and continue fighting to save lives from the wicked forces of hate.
“That fight remains more urgent than ever, as right-wing extremists target transgender Americans’ most fundamental rights and freedoms.
“Whether spouting dangerous rhetoric from cable news desks or openly bullying schoolchildren from the halls of power, MAGA Republicans are cruelly undermining the safety and wellbeing of our transgender community.
“Horrified by such shameless bigotry, House Democrats are proud to march alongside our trans friends, neighbours and siblings as we work to uphold justice and dignity for all.”
Americans awoke this morning to horrific news: a brutal attack on an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs. Our hearts break at the senseless slaughter of least five beautiful souls and the many more injured or forever traumatized, at what was a sanctuary of safety and solidarity.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) November 20, 2022
In a separate statement on the Colorado Springs shooting, Nancy Pelosi added: “Our hearts break at the senseless slaughter of at least five beautiful souls and the many more injured or forever traumatised, at what was a sanctuary of safety and solidarity.
“The attack on Club Q, which fell on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, is despicable – further shattering the sense of safety of LGBTQ Americans across the country.
“Thank you to the heroic individuals who stopped the gunman and to the brave first responders at the scene.”
A suspect in the shooting, named by police as Anderson Lee Aldrich, is currently in custody.
Police have not released a motive for the mass shooting, but they are looking into if the attack was a hate-motivated crime.
A vigil was held in Colorado Springs, close to Club Q, on Sunday (20 November) to remember the victims of the horrific shooting.
Hundreds of mourners carrying candles reportedly attended the vigil, along with Club Q co-owner Matthew Haynes, who described the LGBTQ+ venue as a “safe haven”.
“Never would we think this, this level of hate,” he said.
