WASHINGTON — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statements from Executive Director Tony Hoang and the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus in response to the mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, TN this morning which took the lives of three adults and three children:
Equality California’s Executive Director Tony Hoang:
“Our hearts are shattered by the news of six innocent lives lost to gun violence in Tennessee today — our sincerest condolences are with the families in mourning right now. “The sickeningly repetitive cycle of American gun violence is an issue that touches all our communities. Indeed, LGBTQ+ Americans are disproportionately likely to be victims of gun violence. So, it is deeply upsetting — but unfortunately unsurprising — that right-wing extremists are exploiting this tragedy to demonize trans people based on vague information released regarding today’s perpetrator. Let’s be clear — trans people exist in every country. Yet, the U.S. is the only developed nation in which gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers. Regardless of additional information released, a horrid truth remains — six innocent lives were lost due to gun violence. We challenge right-wing extremists to use their anti-trans hate to finally take guns off our streets — once and for all.”
“Our hearts are shattered by the news of six innocent lives lost to gun violence in Tennessee today — our sincerest condolences are with the families in mourning right now.
“The sickeningly repetitive cycle of American gun violence is an issue that touches all our communities. Indeed, LGBTQ+ Americans are disproportionately likely to be victims of gun violence. So, it is deeply upsetting — but unfortunately unsurprising — that right-wing extremists are exploiting this tragedy to demonize trans people based on vague information released regarding today’s perpetrator. Let’s be clear — trans people exist in every country. Yet, the U.S. is the only developed nation in which gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers.
Regardless of additional information released, a horrid truth remains — six innocent lives were lost due to gun violence. We challenge right-wing extremists to use their anti-trans hate to finally take guns off our streets — once and for all.”
Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, Chair of the California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus:
“What happened today in Nashville, Tennessee is an unspeakable tragedy. I condemn the use of violence that happens today wholeheartedly. Just because you have experienced trauma or pain at the hands of another it does not give you the right to pass that pain onto others. Our heart goes out to all the families and people affected by the terrible violence that took place at Covenant School today. “Regardless of the gender identity of the shooter, the common denominator of these despicable incidents is gun violence. Every state in this Nation has to come together in the fight for gun control to stem the seemingly endless cycle of gun violence in the country. Everyone deserves the right to feel safe in their schools, churches, and communities.”
“What happened today in Nashville, Tennessee is an unspeakable tragedy. I condemn the use of violence that happens today wholeheartedly. Just because you have experienced trauma or pain at the hands of another it does not give you the right to pass that pain onto others. Our heart goes out to all the families and people affected by the terrible violence that took place at Covenant School today.
“Regardless of the gender identity of the shooter, the common denominator of these despicable incidents is gun violence. Every state in this Nation has to come together in the fight for gun control to stem the seemingly endless cycle of gun violence in the country. Everyone deserves the right to feel safe in their schools, churches, and communities.”
Assemblymember Chris Ward, Vice Chair of the California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus:
“The mass shooting in Nashville today was a heinous and senseless act of violence that took the lives of three innocent children, three adults, and ripped apart yet another community, “Instead of focusing on real solutions like gun violence prevention measures that the majority of Americans support and desperately want Congress to enact, some are focused on the gender identity of the shooter. This is a distraction from the fact that firearms are now the leading cause of death for American children. I absolutely condemn the actions of the shooter today and all mass shooters who threaten the safety of us all.”
“The mass shooting in Nashville today was a heinous and senseless act of violence that took the lives of three innocent children, three adults, and ripped apart yet another community,
“Instead of focusing on real solutions like gun violence prevention measures that the majority of Americans support and desperately want Congress to enact, some are focused on the gender identity of the shooter. This is a distraction from the fact that firearms are now the leading cause of death for American children. I absolutely condemn the actions of the shooter today and all mass shooters who threaten the safety of us all.”
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
