Club Q Owner Says Shooting Was Result Of Anti-LGBTQ ‘Groomer’ Rhetoric

The co-owner of Club Q, the Colorado Springs gay nightclub where a shooter turned a birthday celebration into a massacre, says he thinks the shooting is a reflection of anti-LGBTQ sentiment that has evolved from prejudice to incitement. From ABC News:

Grzecka said he believes the targeting of a drag queen event is connected to the art form being cast in a false light in recent months by right-wing activists and politicians who complain about the “sexualization” or “grooming” of children.

Even though general acceptance of the LGBTQ community has grown, this new dynamic has fostered a dangerous climate.

“It’s different to walk down the street holding my boyfriend’s hand and getting spit at to a politician relating a drag queen to a groomer of their children,” Grzecka said. “I would rather be spit on in the street than the hate get as bad as where we are today.”

Authorities haven’t offered a public assessment as to why the 22-year-old suspect decided to attack the nightclub leaving 5 dead and more than 17 injured. The suspect, Anderson Lee Aldrich, has not entered a plea or spoken about the incident. Read the full report at ABC News. https://twitter.com/USATODAY/status/1596080754236084224