Denver’s queer community is, rightfully, a little disheartened this week after the events of this past weekend when an unknown person vandalized The Center, one of the biggest queer organizations in the city, as well as a number of other queer-affirming businesses in the area. According to a press release by The Center themselves, this individual threw a large rock and attempted to shatter three windows at the front of the building near the main entrance. According to a report by Denver 7, the windows were made of tempered glass and therefore didn’t shatter.
The Center boarded up their windows after the act of attempted vandalism with slogans like “You won’t break our soul” and “Broken windows never break community” written across them. “These messages are not just declarations—They are reflections of our mission: to engage, empower, enrich, and advance the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community of Colorado,” say The Center in their press release. “That mission is more than a statement; it is a living promise—one built on generations of courage and love. Every challenge we face reminds us why we exist: to create a world where everyone can live authentically, safely, and with pride.”
Our friends at Parasol Patrol, a nonprofit that works to shield LGBTQ+ from hate and violence from extremist protesters at queer events, reported that three other queer-affirming businesses were vandalized, although they have not released the names of the businesses out of concerns for their safety. Denverite reports that the affected businesses include a salon, a gym, and a boutique.
“When four affirming spaces are hit in rapid succession, (between Friday night and Saturday morning), it is not simply a property crime,” write Parasol Patrol in their statement. “It is a message to an entire community. The message is meant to silence. Our position is equally clear: Denver cannot and must not normalize this.
“We urge local residents, public officials, and community partners to treat these attacks not as isolated incidents but as a coordinated threat to the safety and mental health of LGBTQIA+ youth and the spaces that serve them,” they continue. “Silence or delay sends the wrong signal.”
We at OFM, as a queer-centric magazine, condemn the attacks on local businesses and organizations simply for supporting the LGBTQ+ community. But we also know that the queer community is stronger than the hate directed towards us. We hope that law enforcement will continue to take this matter seriously and recognize it for the hateful attack it is. We will not be scared into silence.
Photo courtesy of social media
