Mourning Colorado Tragedy & Supporting Our LGBTQ Community

To the Case Western Reserve University Community:

We mourn with the families of the five victims who were killed in the nightclub shooting on Saturday night in Colorado Springs and we stand with the LGBTQ community, resolute in our commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and acceptance. 

Sunday was Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day intended to commemorate transgender people whose lives were lost to violence—and a day made even more poignant this year by the attack.

Still, we remember and we remain hopeful that, together, we can and will build a world characterized by compassion and kindness. 

Our hearts are with the members of our campus community, and especially those in our LGBTQ community, who have been impacted by the shooting. Please know that Case Western Reserve is a community of belonging and welcoming—for all.

Harry Hawkins, director of the Case Western Reserve LGBT Center, encourages any student who wants or needs support prior to or after the Thanksgiving holiday to visit the center. In addition, LGBTQ young people may text START to 678-678 to be connected to a counselor from the Trevor Project. Students also may also reach out for counseling support by scheduling a same-day appointment with a counselor through myhealthconnect.case.edu or by calling 216.368.5872. They also can arrange a virtual appointment through TimelyCare.

Faculty and staff can receive immediate support at any time by calling 800.227.6007. Additional support through IMPACT Solutions can be found on the Human Resources website

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, our thoughts will remain with the families of the victims and with those injured in the shooting. We will remember the lives lost and renew our promise to lead lives filled with love and empathy.

Sincerely, 
Eric W. Kaler
President

Ben Vinson III
Provost and Executive Vice President

Lou Stark
Vice President for Student Affairs