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Statement on the Tragic Shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs

ByEmily Bishop

President Stephanie Gold, MD, FAAFP issued the following statement on behalf of the CAFP today addressing this horrific tragedy:

To our members,

We are heartbroken by Saturday night’s shooting at Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs. This senseless act of violence against the LGBTQ community has destroyed a sense of safety and taken or forever changed the lives of so many. We wish to offer our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and communities of the victims. 

The CAFP condemns all acts of hate and violence. We reiterate our long-term commitment to act as allies in the work toward equity and addressing the gun violence epidemic. If you are looking for a way to be part of the solution, the AAFP has assembled resources on the social determinants of health and gun violence. The CAFP specifically stands with the AAFP’s Call To Action to address gun violence: 

  • Label violence caused by the use of guns as a national public health epidemic.
  • Fund appropriate research as part of the federal budget.
  • Establish constitutionally appropriate restrictions on the manufacturing and sale, for civilian use, of large-capacity magazines and firearms with features designed to increase their rapid and extended killing capacity.

Other resources include the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, which offers a collection of resources addressing care for the LGBTQ community. Hateful attacks like these cannot be accepted as normal. 

Family physicians take on the role of providing compassionate care amidst a tragedy such as this one. We recognize the impact violence like this has on the day-to-day lives of patients and physicians. While our members provide the highest standards of care for all Coloradans, we wish to support those impacted by this tragedy. If you or anyone you know needs help, we encourage you to reach out to Colorado Crisis Services or the Colorado Physicians Health Program.