Aurora Resolution Supports LGBTQ Community
The Aurora City Council adopted a resolution Monday supporting the LGBTQ community in light of the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
“While progress has been made towards acceptance and equality, members of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to face discrimination, intolerance, and hate-motivated attacks,” the resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Crystal Murillo, states. “We must remain vigilant in deterring oppression and discrimination against people based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation.”
Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky said that while she supported the resolution, she believes it should have spoken out against hate as opposed to supporting only the LGBTQ community.
Murillo said it’s important to support the LGBTQ community right now after they experienced hate in one of their “safe spaces.” She also said anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is on the rise.
Grocery stores, Schools are ‘Safe Spaces’ Too
Jurinsky noted that mass shootings in Colorado occurred in a grocery store in Boulder and a movie theater in Aurora, not to mention Front Range schools. She said those places also are “safe spaces” for everyone. “You should be able to go the grocery store and get out without being shot at. Why not condemn all hate?”
“All hate is abhorrent,” says Councilmember Alison Coombs. She noted the council recently adopted a resolution speaking out against antisemitism. “Communities directly impacted by hate still deserve direct support and acknowledgement from the rest of our communities,” Coombs adds.
Coombs, who is lesbian, said members of the LGBTQ community still are referred to as perverts. “When I go the grocery store, I see people sneering and jeering,” Coombs said. “Gay bars and clubs are some of the only places where we do actually feel safe.”
Living ‘Openly, Equally, and Without Fear’
In a series of “whereas” statements, the resolution describes why the LGBTQ community needs protections. “The City of Aurora continues its efforts to prevent hateful rhetoric and hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ residents in our community and stand with them to protect their civil rights and their ability to live openly, equally and without fear,” the resolution reads. “Targeted violence has been on the rise in the United States, fueled by disinformation and hate, targeting members of the (Asian American Pacific Islander), Black, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ communities.”
Resolution Condemns Hate Crimes
The resolution:
- Calls on all people to report hate crimes against LGBTQ people “so that steps can be taken to prevent and stop these types of discriminatory and hateful behaviors.”
- Calls on law enforcement to “expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crime incidents and threats against the LGBTQIA+ community.”
- Declares that violent acts against the LGBTQ community “compound the ongoing trauma caused by those committing harm against and those who empower, disseminate , and carry out anti-LGBTQIA+ hate and violence across all sectors of society.”
- Condemns hate crimes against the LGBTQ community while affirming Aurora’s status as a diverse city.
- Finally, the resolution “Encourages all cities, counties, and local governments across the United States to adopt similar commitments to reaffirm their solidarity with their LGBTQIA+ communities and commit to combating hate crimes targeting LGBTQIA+ communities.”
