The Hispanic Heritage Foundation profoundly mourns the senseless, evil, mass murder in Colorado Springs in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ family as the combination of hate and gun continues to terrorize communities that we deeply value.  We also need to keep in mind that it’s not just the lives lost or tragically impacted, but the families and friends of the victims as well as the entire LGBTQ+ community traumatized by this horrific act and the threat of what can happen next.

Hate is learned.  Hate is taught.  Hate turns into action when not confronted.  Words do matter.  We call on everyone to stand up against hateful talk of any kind – including what passes as culturally-generationally-and-jokingly-accepted language – and stand up with communities that make America and the world so beautiful.

This vicious attack in Colorado Springs is nothing new.  Throughout generations, including the PULSE shooting six years ago in Orlando, the targeting of our brothers, sisters and nonbinary family is abhorrent.  We cannot tolerate hate or violence toward our LGBTQ+ community, which we hold so close in our hearts and souls.  It starts with each of us …

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation will continue to combat homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and acephobia or any form of hate while embracing and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Antonio Tijerino

President & CEO

Hispanic Heritage Foundation