WARNING: This video includes graphic depictions of violence.
James Slaugh, a survivor of the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs, told a House committee Wednesday that the deadly attack on the queer space was a “nightmare come true and one of my biggest fears.”
Slaugh, who was shot in the right arm, told the House Oversight Committee that he and his boyfriend were about to leave Club Q when the gunman walked in and opened fire. He described to lawmakers how, after getting shot, he fell to the ground, bleeding. Slaugh said he was able to call 911. His boyfriend, who was shot in the leg, was next to him.
“I don’t want to imagine what may happen had the shooter not been taken down that night,” Slaugh said. He then named all five people killed in the Nov. 19 shooting: Ashley Paugh, Raymond Green Vance, Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump and Kelly Loving. Seventeen other people were injured in the attack.
“Club Q was a second home and safe space – not just for me – but for all of us. Outside of these spaces, we are continually being dehumanized, marginalized, and targeted,” Slaugh said. “The fear-based and hateful rhetoric surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, especially around trans individuals and drag performers leads to violence.”
He continued: “We shouldn’t have to fear being shot when we go to our safe spaces — or anywhere, for that matter.”
Slaugh joined fellow survivor Michael Anderson and Club Q founding co-owner Matthew Haynes at Wednesday’s hearing on the rise of violence and threats against LGBTQ communities in the U.S.
Last week, prosecutors charged the 22-year-old suspect on 305 criminal counts, including first-degree murder and 48 hate crime charges.
This post was produced and edited by Joshua Barajas, Julia Griffin, Dan Cooney and Serena Golden.
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