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In solidarity with Colorado Springs and our LGBTQ+ community members

To: UCSC Community

From: Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success, and Anju Reehjsinghani, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

November 21, 2022

Dear UC Santa Cruz students, staff, and faculty,
 
Our hearts are heavy as we grapple with the devastating news of Saturday’s senseless shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. The news that five people were murdered–and 25 more injured–in an LGTBTQ+ nightclub is agonizing. It is unbearable once again to realize that our everyday spaces of safety and joy can so quickly descend into those of terror and violence. In this case, we are also painfully aware that this horrific tragedy happened just minutes before Sunday’s Transgender Day of Remembrance. 
 
According to the Human Rights Campaign, 32 trans and nonbinary people have been killed this year alone. And that’s what we know. Tragically, many violent crimes committed against trans and nonbinary people go unreported. This latest act of hate violence, layered with the hate violence the LGBTQ+ communities have long endured, compounds our grief, increases our sorrow, and deepens our pain. 
 
As we grieve, we also acknowledge the very real fear, sadness, and loneliness many in our community may be feeling as a result of this weekend’s horrific shooting. If you are feeling the impact of this event, please do not hesitate to reach out to campus services for support. Counseling and Psychological Services provides assistance for students. Our Employee Assistance Program offers counseling and support to employees. 
 
The Lionel Cantú Queer Center offers numerous support services for LGBTQ+ community members. This week, the center is offering virtual support services Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. If you want to connect with the Cantu team virtually, please email queer@ucsc.edu. As well, this week, the Cantú Queer Center will open its doors from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday to offer space for healing and processing. On each of these evenings, at 6:30 p.m., the Cantú team will serve dinner. All are welcome to join. Tonight’s dinner will include a moment of silence in memory of Trans Day of Remembrance and in solidarity with Colorado Springs. A full list of resources available to our campus community can be found on the Division of Student Affairs and Success webpage. It includes links to resources available to those grappling with today’s news.
 
To our LGBTQ+ community members, let us be clear: we see you, we believe in you, and we are a better university because of you. We unequivocally condemn all hatred, prejudice, and horrific violence against the LGBTQ+ communities. We reject any discriminatory rhetoric that seeks to divide us and call for all Banana Slugs to come together under our Principles of Community.
 
In community,
 
Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, Ed.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success
 
Anju Reejhsinghani, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion