Utahns react to mass shooting in Colorado Springs

SALT LAKE CITY — Politicians, leaders and advocacy groups around the state shared messages of grief and calls for action after a tragic mass shooting took the lives of five and injured 25 others.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox responded to a tweet from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and pleaded for kindness, love and unity with the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Abby and I are deeply saddened by the senseless tragedy in our neighboring Colorado. We add our prayers for those impacted and plead for kindness, love and unity with our LGBTQ community. https://t.co/Y8dcW3GUpm

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) November 20, 2022

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said she is “devastated, just devastated.”

Devastated, just devastated to read about another horrific act of violence targeted at the LGBTQ community. Salt Lake City mourns with our friends in Colorado Springs, and stands with the LGBTQ community everyday. #TDOR

— Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) November 20, 2022

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said the SLC Police Department continues to be a “proud ally.”

This morning, I spoke with leaders of our LGBTQIA+ community to express my condolences after learning about the horrific and heartbreaking news from Colorado. SLC and @slcpd is a proud ally. We remain committed to helping to ensure the safety of all LGBTQIA+ community members. pic.twitter.com/a1K1nuXRTv

— Chief Mike Brown (@ChiefMikeBrown) November 20, 2022

Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah, released the following statement regarding the shooting:

“We are watching the news unfold from Colorado with horror and anger. Our hearts are breaking, once again, as our community is being targeted by a senseless act of hate and violence. We send our love to the victims and their families.

“This tragedy has unfolded on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we honor those who have died by violence around the world.

“Violence of this magnitude does not arise in a vacuum. For the past two years, we have watched our community face a new wave of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation designed to generate moral panic. Politicians have given an audience to these fearmongers, and have stoked hysteria throughout the country, falsely asserting that transgender children would “destroy” women’s sports, and that drag queens are “grooming” children.

“This dangerous rhetoric is alive here in Utah as well, and it needs to stop now. To the good people of Utah, we implore you to recognize that LGBTQ are your family members, your neighbors and your co-workers. When extremists ratchet up hysteria, they are endangering the people you love.

“We call on Governor Cox, President Adams, and Speaker Wilson to use their power and influence to tap down the hysteria in Utah. Do not give an audience to those who lie and distort LGBTQ lives.

“To LGBTQ Utahns, you have so much beauty to contribute to the world. We will not allow another act of violence to make us cower and hide. We will take our anger and focus it into strength. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the next generation of queer children can live a life free of fear and shame. They will rise triumphant to share their gifts with the world.”

The LGBTQ+ youth and family resource in Utah shared the following post.