On November 19, 2022, our Colorado Springs and campus community experienced a violent tragedy at the Club Q Nightclub. The event has had a continued impact on our community, especially our LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty. While the UCCS community mourns those who were lost and recognizes the lasting influence that night has had on the physical and psychological safety of many in the community, the campus is also invited to reflect on the ways each individual can continue to show care and support for members of marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities. Additionally, the UCCS campus will continue working to create safer spaces that empower humanity to address systems perpetuating oppression in society.  

In the immediate aftermath of the event, UCCS stepped in and helped stand up a Community Resource Center at the Kevin W. O’Neil Education and Research Center for those involved in the tragedy. By Monday morning, the Community Resource Center was open from morning to evening, providing additional time for the victims, their families, and friends to access the resources available. The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) also set up an “evidence” area in one of the classrooms, where Club Q victims were able to retrieve any personal belongings left at the scene that were not formally submitted into evidence at the police department.

UCCS staff from Facilities (HVAC, electricians, custodial) to Event Services staff and students, SPA staff, UCCS Public Safety personnel, the Dean of Engineering, Cybersecurity staff, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Health and Wellness, UCCS Advancement, UCCS Communications Team and the Chancellor’s Office worked alongside CSPD, community members and volunteers to provide the community with resources to assist in navigating the Club Q tragedy.
 
At UCCS, there are many ongoing efforts to transform reflection into meaningful action. Over the past two years, the UCCS community has worked tirelessly to focus on the ethos of care in updating policies, enhancing safety procedures, programming, training, and creating the Club Q Memorial.  

• The Club Q Memorial exhibit consists of two art pieces. One is called the Progress Flame of Unity: A Community Mosaic, designed by artists Cathy Tomovich and Laurel Bidwell. It is in the Kraemer Family Library near the second-floor apse and west entry. 

• The other piece is called City of Shining Queer Resistance, designed and created by artists Wyatt Kent and Z Williams. This piece is in the University Center, on the wall directly across from the entry to the UCCS MOSAIC Lounge and LGBTQ+ Resource Center.  

This week, MOSAIC & LGBTQ+ Resource Center and the Kramer Family Library hosted a two-day series to create space to acknowledge and honor Club Q’s two-year mark and Trans Day of Remembrance.  

The Kraemer Family Library hosted an interactive zine workshop, where participants created a community-authored zine that will be available to read at MOSAIC and in the KFL zine collection. In addition, MOSAIC & LGBTQ+ Resource Center hosted a panel featuring local artists who discussed art as activism and read the created Zine. Both days featured guest speakers and guest poets from our Colorado Springs and UCCS community.  

The zine guests of the workshop created was titled, “Qmmunity: Reflections of Resilience and Healing.” “Qmmunity: Reflections of Resilience and Healing” is available for UCCS staff, faculty, and campus visitors to read in both the Kraemer Family Library’s Zine Collection and in the MOSAIC lounge.  

The UCCS community will continue to stand united in actively triumphing over oppression in our unwavering pursuit of access and opportunity for all. For additional LGBTQ+ resources, please visit the LGBTQ+ Resource Center website.