The fallout of the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge BC has resulted in increased hate towards members of the trans community online, and local advocacy groups want members of the community that they are being seen and heard at this time.
Nine people are dead following the horrifying attack. Eight victims were killed, and the shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted injury.
It has been confirmed that the shooter had been out as transgender for several years, which has resulted in commentary about the attack that has created hate towards the trans community.
Colt Politte is the executive director of Quadrangle, a community resource for those in the LGBTQ community.
They say their thoughts when the tragedy first unfolded was with the victims of the mass shooting and their families.
Politte says their second thought, as more information came to light, was to make sure the community here locally feels seen “because we (knew) that a lot of feelings of insecurity and ‘unsafeness’ was about to come out, and then it of course did.”
Politte calls the ensuing commentary from some groups “frustrating.”
