Montclair LGBTQ Advocates ‘Disgusted, Sad’ After Colorado Shooting

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A nonprofit advocacy group in Montclair says that its members are “disgusted and sad” after a shooter killed five people and left dozens injured at a gay nightclub in Colorado last weekend.

Out Montclair, a volunteer-run organization established in 2021 to provide community, support and solidarity for LGBTQIA+ people, was one of many groups that are mourning for the victims of Saturday’s mass shooting.

A 22-year-old gunman opened fire inside a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, killing five people and leaving 25 injured before he was subdued by "heroic" patrons and arrested by police who arrived within minutes, authorities said Sunday. Read More: Shooter Kills 5 At Gay Club In Colorado, Subdued By Patrons: Police

On its Facebook page, the club called it a "hate attack." Investigators were still determining a motive and whether to prosecute it as a hate crime, said El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen. Charges against the suspect "will likely include first-degree murder," he said.

Out Montclair’s executive director Peter Yacobellis, who also serves as a town councilman, issued a statement about the shooting. He wrote:

“We at Out Montclair are disgusted and sad to hear about yet another attack on an LGBTQ+ establishment, where innocent lives have been lost. While the details of the Colorado Springs attack are still emerging and the motive remains unknown, as an organization that exists to create safe spaces for our community, attacks like this will naturally and sadly create fear. From our programs for teens and families to seniors and singles, to our huge pride festival; we know how vital what we do is to people just looking to be heard, to connect with other people, and feel safe. We also take our role in educating the larger community about who we are and what our needs are, very seriously. We believe that being ourselves and being heard is the only way we’ll ever truly be understood. We’ll never stop gathering and finding the community we desperately need. Thank you to all of our allies for supporting us.”

Out Montclair noted that the tragedy in Colorado Springs happened on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, established to mourn and remember the lives of transgender people killed by violence in the previous year.

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