Another Violent Attack against the L.G.B.T.Q.+ Community
The five victims of the Club Q shooting in Colorado
The SisterLove family is deeply saddened by the act of violence that occurred on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at an LGBTQIA+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Five people were killed and 25 were injured when a 22-year-old gunman entered the nightclub. Two of the victims of the attack in Colorado were transgender.
Our condolences go out to the victims and their family members. SisterLove condemns all violence, especially acts of terrorism that are based on hate for other human beings. This violent attack is evidence that more steps need to be taken to end hate crimes.
Hate Speech at the Highest Levels of Power
Hate crimes and hate speech are tied together.
Three years ago, the Trump Administration erased many federal protections for the transgender community including protections against discrimination in the medical community as well as housing.
The administration made changes to similar policies under the Department of Education, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Trump Administration’s actions were a form of hate speech because such policies act as a catalyst for violence.
Any time an elected leader states that it is okay to oppress members of the LGBTQIA+ community on stage, in a bill, in the newspaper, or on social media, the words and actions empower acts of hate.
"Free Speech" Under Musk's Twitter
Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and Twitter, eliminated much of its content moderation team from the Twitter platform.
Like other social media platforms, Twitter has traditionally tracked and restricted language that may be construed as hate speech or harmful. Twitter users are allowed to voice all forms of hate speech targeted toward marginalized communities such as LGBTQIA+ people because Musk decided to end content moderation.
Since Mr. Musk announced changes to content moderation, users of the social media platform have spouted racist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic, and sexist rhetoric in high numbers.
Hate speech against the transgender community was used 33,926 times in Musk’s first week. Hate speech gives ammunition to the violence that took place this week. SisterLove has canceled its Twitter account in protest. Days later, he reinstated the banned accounts of President Donald Trump, controversial anti-trans public figure Dr. Jordan Peterson, and Kanye "Ye" West.
Taking Action Against Transphobic Violence
More work needs to be done to protect the members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Fifteen states and the federal government have implemented a hate crimes law that protects members of the transgender community.
Thirty-five states and the federal government have implemented a hate crimes law to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation.
Thirty-three states and the federal government have implemented laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment.
We at SisterLove stand firm in our fight against hate speech and violence against marginalized communities.
