Just before midnight on November 19, a single gunman entered 鈥� an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado 鈥� and on a crowded room, wounding dozens.
were shot and killed: Kelly Loving, 40, Raymond Green Vance, 22, Daniel Aston, 28, Derrick Rump, 38, and Ashley Paugh, 35.
The gunman, Anderson Lee Aldrich, was apprehended by police after patrons fought and disarmed him.
Aldrich is currently being held at El Paso County Jail on five counts of first-degree murder and bias crimes and is expected to face at a court hearing scheduled for December 6.
In the days since, the targeted shooting has sparked countless vigils, memorials and other community-centered events across the country.
In Cleveland, LGBTQ+ people and their allies gathered at the on Saturday to mourn and connect.
Executive director Phyllis Harris addressed a crowd of dozens alongside other community leaders.
鈥淵our lives do matter,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t matters that you鈥檙e here right now.鈥�
Ward 15 Councilmember also addressed the crowd, offering a reminder that systemic change occurs slowly, and across generations.
鈥淚 look around and what I see is love, but I know there鈥檚 anger,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e feeling that anger right now, that鈥檚 okay too.鈥�
鈥� the first out LGBTQ+ individual to serve in the Ohio Senate 鈥� also reminded attendees of those intergenerational ties, calling for young LGBTQ+ leaders to step up both personally and politically.
鈥淲e must have the courage, strength and determination 鈥� even when we鈥檙e afraid 鈥� to go out there and push for change,鈥� Antonio said. 鈥淲e are the ones we鈥檝e been waiting for.鈥�