SEE TRANSGENDER

from South Platte Independent 120122

gender diverse people whose lives were lost due to anti-transgender violence.

As of Nov. 16, at least 32 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have been killed in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The majority of victims were Black transgender women.

During the remembrance event on Nov. 19, the Transgender Center of the Rockies held a moment of silence for all victims.

Transgender Center of the Rockies is a program developed through Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, which offers resources to transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming and gender diverse people.

“To invoke their memory is to honor their power,” said Petty Patty, a drag performer who emceed for the event. “If there is one call to action that you walk away with this evening, it is to mourn the dead and fi ght like hell for the living.”

Five killed, 17 injured in shooting at LGBTQ club

Just before midnight on Nov. 19, a gunman entered Club Q, an LGBTQ night club in Colorado Springs, and opened fi re, killing at least fi ve people and wounding 17 others until he was stopped by two patrons, The Colorado Sun reported.

The fi ve people killed were: Derrick Rump, a bartender at Club Q; Daniel Aston, a transgender man and bartender at Club Q; Kelly Loving, who was visiting the club on a weekend trip; Ashley Paugh, who went to see a comedian perform at Club Q; and Raymond Green Vance, who went to the club with his girlfriend, her parents and other friends to celebrate a birthday.

The accused shooter faces 10 preliminary charges, including fi ve counts of committing a biasmotivated crime, according to The Colorado Sun.

The morning of Nov. 20, Owen woke up to messages about the shooting.

“It was really hard to wake up to that, because the night before, our program had put on a Trans Day of Remembrance event that I had spent fi ve or six hours at and everyone had worked really hard on and brought the community together,” Owen said. “To see that something like this happened on that day, or on the eve of that day, was especially troubling.”

When the Transgender Center of the Rockies’ event ended on Nov. 19, Owen said some of her staff went out to celebrate that night.

“I’m just so thankful that it wasn’t the bar that they went to or the club that they went to,” Owen said.

Mental health e ects

The mass shooting at Club Q has caused a lot of fear and anxiety for LGBTQ+ people, said Owen, a clinical psychologist by training.

“Having to be hyper-vigilant about our surroundings and wondering what is safe, it takes a lot of energy and mental effort,” she said. “This is just another added burden that this community has to face, and it’s really diffi cult.

“I think it’s really diffi cult to navigate a world that feels unsafe a lot of the time.”

Transgender Center of the Rockies was all-hands-on-deck on Nov. 21, Owen said, offering mental health services ranging from shortterm to ongoing therapy.

“Right now, we’re obviously prepared to provide crisis intervention, to help folks who are just struggling with this specifi c issue,” she said.

Owen said people expressed a range of emotions following the shooting, including sadness, grief, anger, numbness and hopelessness.

“Everybody kind of has their own individual way of processing and grieving and healing, but the whole gamut of emotions is on display,” she said. “It’s really understandable for all of that to come up and (is) valid.”

With the holidays, this time of year is already challenging for a lot of transgender and nonbinary people who may have been kicked out of their family, or have strained relationships with people they once celebrated the holidays with, Owen said.

According to the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and approximately one in fi ve transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide.

LGBTQ+ youth “are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society,” according to the Trevor Project.

Owen said there have been a couple of instances where staff have felt unsafe, noting many staff members are gender diverse themselves.

“There’s some real fears, and we’re trying to think about that moving forward,” Owen said. “We’re fortunate that nothing really bad has happened to us, but I don’t want that to be — there to be a change in that story later.”

The Colorado Sun reported some political scientists and activists have said an increase in recent anti-trans and anti-gay rhetoric and protests set up violence like the shooting at Club Q.

Owen said when people say an LGBTQ+ person is making up who they are, or make fun of a person’s identity, or say they shouldn’t be able to get the kind of treatments or care that will help them feel better about themselves, it sends an aggressive, hostile message.

“I can’t say with 100% certainty that there’s a correlation,” Owen said about the possible connection between the rhetoric and violence. “But in my mind, it certainly would make sense that there would be.”

Creating a safer community

To help create a safer environment for the LGBTQ+ community, Owen recommended local community leaders talk with gender diverse, transgender and nonbinary people directly, even suggesting a town hall-style event.

“Making there be a way where those conversations are facilitated and happening would be really important,” she said.

She noted some people may not trust law enforcement, given the LGBTQ+ movement historically started at Stonewall in New York. The Stonewall riots occurred in 1969 when LGBTQ+ people protested in response to a police raid of the Stonewall Inn.

“I think a lot of those relationships need to be worked on and repaired between community leaders — really trying to understand the specifi c needs of this community, not being afraid of them, acknowledging that they actually exist, wanting to get to know them,” Owen said.

If people asked members of the LGBTQ+ community what needs to happen, the response would be policy and action, Owen said.

“Politics matter,” she said. “We’re going to have to do something. We’re going to have to make things different, and it’s not enough to just care.”

During the Trans Day of Remembrance event, State Rep. Brianna Titone of House District 27, who was the fi rst openly transgender state legislator in Colorado, highlighted the need for greater inclusion of transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people.

“With only around 50 total elected trans folks at every level of government, there’s still a very small amount of representation. And because we lack seats at the table in so many places, we have been the target of political aggression, with trans kids taking the bulk of the attacks,” Titone said in a pre-recorded video shown during the event.

The fastest way to make change is for LGBTQ+ people to use their voice at the state house, at protests and to “take every seat that’s available that you can get at the table, whenever you can.”

“We need to be seen. We need to be heard. And it’s time for everyone who has a seat at the table to bring that folding chair to those who are the most marginalized,” Titone said. “We can’t do this alone. We need allies to have these tough conversations with us and for us.”

One person showed allyship the morning of Nov. 21 by coming to the Transgender Center of the Rockies and giving a donation to its closet, called Marsha’s Closet, which offers free gender-affi rming clothes.

“She gave us a donation and said, ‘I’m so sorry (for) what happened on Saturday to the LGBTQ community, and I just wanted you to know there’s people that care,’” Owen said.

“That really does help. We need our allies. We need cisgender, heterosexual people to be caring about this, to have conversations about it. Let people know it matters.”

For people in the LGBTQ+ community, Owen recommended surrounding themselves with people who care about them and reaching out for mental health support if needed.

“We at the Transgender Center of the Rockies are sad and angered that this happened … but our biggest focus right now is being here for the community,” Owen said. “We hope that we don’t need this one day, right? I wish our existence wasn’t as paramount as it is, but we’ll do what we can until that day comes.”

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Main Street in Littleton is illuminated by festive lights for the holiday season.

FILE PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT

VISIT THE

Holiday events underway in Arapahoe County

Santa visits, ice skating and more

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

To celebrate the holiday season, the City of Centennial and Arapahoe County have planned events and campaigns for the community, including chances to support local vendors, enjoy holiday attractions and donate materials for others.

Dec. 3: Holiday Artisan Market

Local talent and holiday attractions are coming to Centennial Center Park!

The Centennial Holiday Artisan Market, a free and family-friendly event, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Centennial Center Park, located at 13050 E. Peakview Ave.

Attendees can expect holiday treats, visits with Santa, local artisans and performances by local school and dance groups.

Here is the schedule of musical performances for the event: • 11:30 a.m.: Newton Middle School Choir • Noon: Dry Creek Elementary Choir • 12:30 p.m.: Homestead Elementary Choir • 1 p.m.: Peakview Elementary Choir and Tone Chimes • 1:30 p.m.: Amplifi ed Arts Dance • 1:45 p.m.: Metropolitan Academy of Dance • 2:15 p.m.: School of Rock

Those interested in learning more about the event can visit centennialco.gov/Calendar/Holiday-ArtisanMarket.

By Dec. 8: Partnering for the Holidays

Employees of Arapahoe County Human Services created a “Partnering for the Holidays” program that provides holiday gifts to Arapahoe County residents who are clients with Arapahoe County Human Services.

The program benefi ts children and adults in crisis, victims of abuse or neglect, or those experiencing fi nancial hardship, according to Arapahoe County’s website.

To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the county asks people to consider donating gift cards, in increments of $25, this year. If residents want to donate an item rather than a gift card, the county listed items it recommends purchasing on its website.

People can drop off donations until Dec. 8 at two locations: Arapahoe County Human Services located at 14980 E. Alameda Drive in Aurora, or the human services building located at 1690 W. Littleton Boulevard in Littleton. Gifts can also be shipped to Kala Slater at 14980 E. Alameda Drive in Aurora.

Those interested in learning more about the program or donating an item can fi nd more information at arapahoegov.com/415/Partneringfor-the-Holidays.

Dec. 10: Visit the Village

From a synthetic ice rink to a petting farm, Arapahoe County’s “Visit the Village” holiday-themed event offers a variety of activities for families to enjoy.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center, located at 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora.

Attractions include meet-andgreets with Santa, a petting farm, synthetic ice rink, local vendors, infl atables, and an ornament and craft station.

The event also features a “home for the holidays”-themed gingerbread house contest. To participate, residents can drop off their decorated gingerbread house on Dec. 7 or Dec. 8 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. To sign up to participate, visit arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/f/22.

The fi rst prize for the contest is a two-night stay at Fairfi eld Inn and Suites. Judges will score entries and

Get in the holiday spirit!!

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center 25690 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016 Grab your family and celebrate the holiday season at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Discover five themed “neighborhoods” to explore, create and have fun!

There’s something for everyone–from holiday shopping with local vendors, to make-and-take craft activities, Santa meet-and-greet, petting farm, horse-drawn rides, games and lots of fun surprises.

Tickets: $10 (kids 2 and under FREE)

arapahoecountyeventcenter.com

Share the season with neighbors in need! Donate a new, unwrapped gift and receive free admission.

40-year-old murder mystery solved

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A prosecuting team from the 18th Judicial District was recognized by the Colorado District Attorney’s Council for work on a cold case dating back to 1981 that led to a conviction in 2022. The team received the 2022 Outstanding Trial Team of the Year.

The annual award is given to a team of prosecutors for remarkable work in solving challenging cases from the thousands of cases brought to trial throughout the year. The Colorado District Attorneys’ Council selected a team from the 18th Judicial District for their work in solving the 1981 cold case homicide of Sylvia Quayle.

The trial team includes Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo, Deputy District Attorney Grant Grosgebauer, Investigator Matt Hanagan, Paralegal Cathy Nevil, and Victim Advocate Colleen Vogel.

“Our offi ce actually submits multiple cases, so it’s pretty cool that they chose this one out of the 30 or so other different cases that they submitted,” said Grosgebauer.

Quayle’s body was found in the early morning of Aug. 4, 1981 by her father William. As Quayle lived alone in her home in Cherry Hills Village, the attacker cut the phone line outside her house to enable her ability to call for help. Quayle was sexually assaulted, strangled, stabbed three times, shot in the head, then left to die on her living room fl oor.

For nearly two decades, Quayle’s murder went unsolved until the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted a DNA sample to the FBI’s combined DNA Index Systemin 2000.

Two decades after the DNA was submitted, the Cherry Hills Village Police Department began working with United Data Connect, a genetic genealogy company. In 2021, an investigator with United Data Connect went to Anderson’s residence and collected trash bags from an apartment complex dumpster. Lab results found Anderson’s DNA on a soda can from his trash bag, which matched the DNA collected at the 1981 crime scene.

Anderson was charged with two counts of fi rst-degree murder, After Deliberation and Felony Murder. In March 2022, Anderson went to trial, however, after fi ve days of deliberation, the jurors were unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s offi ce brought the case to trial once again on June 30, 2022. A jury found Anderson guilty on both counts of murder. Due to legal precedent, a defendant convicted of a single homicide can only be sentenced on one homicide charge.

“It’s the oldest case that’s ever been tried successfully in Colorado,” said Grosgebauer.

The sentencing laws in effect at the time of the crime have resulted in Anderson receiving the maximum sentence of life behind bars. He is eligible for parole in 20 calendar years. With the help of the Cherry Hill Village Police Department, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, DNA analyst Missy Woods, the trial team was able to bring forward a strong evidentiary case that led to a conviction.

“It was a true team effort. We couldn’t have done it without multiple different components coming together to make this case possible,” said Grosgebauer.

Standing with their award plaque are (foreground, from left) Cathy Nevill and Colleen Vogel, and (background) Grant Grosgebauer, Matt Hanagan and Christopher Gallo. COURTESY OF 18TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Wagon rides, warm treats, live music and more

BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Littleton Museum and the community organization Friends of the Littleton Library and Museum will host a holiday event Dec. 11 that will feature wagon rides, warm snacks, live musical performances and more.

From 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Littleton Museum, located at 6028 S. Gallup St., attendees will be “will be transported back to the winter holidays of the 1800s” while costumed actors “bring the past to life by demonstrating or teaching about what your life would be like had you lived in Littleton in the 1800s,” according to the event’s website.

The Littleton Museum is a year-round living museum that features two realistic farm depictions of 19th-century homestead life.

The event’s activities will include wagon rides, tree decorating, letters to Santa Claus and even a chance to meet Santa himself. Food and drink will include hot apple cider, gingersnaps, sugar cookies and cornbread.

Tickets can be purchased online by going to tinyurl.com/littletonholidayevent. Online tickets for children aged 2 to 16 will be $4 and adults will be $10. Tickets purchased at the door will be $2 more for children and adults.

Tickets are discounted for members of Friends of the Littleton Library. For children tickets will be $3 and $& for adults.

Niri Cath’s painting “The Park,” acrylic on panel, won Best of Show in the Littleton Museum’s Own an Original exhibit. The museum is taking part in a holiday event Dec. 11. COURTESY OF NIRI CATH