In solidarity with Colorado Springs and our LGBTQ+ community members
Monday, November 21, 2022
Dear UC Santa Cruz students, staff, and faculty,
Our hearts are heavy as we grapple with the devastating news of Saturday’s senseless shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. The news that five people were murdered–and 25 more injured– in an LGTBTQ+ nightclub is agonizing. It is unbearable once again to realize that our everyday spaces of safety and joy can so quickly descend into those of terror and violence. In this case, we are also painfully aware that this horrific tragedy happened just minutes before Sunday’s Transgender Day of Rembemberance.
According to the Human Rights Campain, 32 trans and nonbinary people have been killed this year alone. And that’s what we know. Tragically, many violent crimes committed against trans and nonbinary people go unreported. This latest act of hate violence, layered with the hate violence the LGBTQ+ community has long endured, compounds our grief, increases our sorrow, and deepens our pain.
As we grieve, we also acknowledge the very real fear, sadness, and loneliness many in our community may be feeling as a result of this weekend’s horrific shooting. If you are feeling the impact of this event, please do not hesitate to reach out to campus services for support. Counseling and Psychological Services provides assistance for students. Our Employee Assistance Program offers counseling and support to employees.
The Lionel Cantú Queer Center offers numerous support services for LGBTQ+ community members. This week, the center is offering virtual support services Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. If you want to connect with the Cantu team virtually, please email queer@ucsc.edu. This week as well, the Cantú Queer Center will open its doors from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday to offer space for healing and processing. Additionally, the Cantú team will serve dinners those evenings at 6:30 p.m.. All are welcome to join. Tonight’s dinner will include a moment of silence in memory of Trans Day of Remembrance and in solidarity with Colorado Springs. A full list of resources available to our campus community can be found on the Division of Student Affairs and Success webpage. It includes links to resources available to those grappling with today’s news.
To our LGBTQ+ community members, let us be clear: we see you, we believe in you, and we are a better university because of you. We unequivocally condemn all hatred, prejudice, and horrific violence against the LGBTQ+ community. We reject any discriminatory rhetoric that seeks to divide us and call for all Banana Slugs to come together under our Principles of Community.
In community,
Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, Ed.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success
Anju Reejhsinghani, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Resources to help navigate the moment
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Campus Advocacy Resources and Education (CARE) provides free and confidential support for UCSC community members impacted by sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking. CARE can be reached during regular business hours at 831-502-2273, care@ucsc.edu, or through their appointment request form. The following resources are available 24/7: National Sexual Violence Hotline, by call or online chat. National Domestic Violence Hotline, by call, text, or online chat. For those needing crisis mental health support, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available at 1-800-273-8255 or online chat. |
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) CAPS provides UCSC students with a wide range of mental health and wellness services. Counseling services are available for any registered UCSC student and are confidential. There is no out-of-pocket fee for CAPS services, and you don't need UC SHIP or CruzCare to be seen at CAPS. To contact CAPS, call 831-459-2628. During business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), you can request an immediate appointment by informing the office staff that you would like a same day crisis appointment. Outside of business hours, please press “3 – talk to a counselor” and you will be connected with a crisis counselor. If you are not in an immediate crisis situation but would like to initiate services as soon as possible, please call (831) 459-2628 and inform the office staff that you would like to schedule an initial appointment. Address and hours for CAPS can be found on the Student Health Center website. Let’s Talk Queer Edition Contact Jessica Magallanes-Evans at jmagall1@ucsc.edu |
The Black Girl Doctor The Black Girl Doctor is a free virtual mental health practice focusing on supporting students' pursuit of academic success, career satisfaction, joy, and happiness. Additionally, all providers have specialty knowledge in responding to the unique challenges faced by Black communities. The Black Girl Doctor UC Santa Cruz Wellness Coaching site is live. Students can visit the sign to review the support offered and sign up for a free 90-minute coaching session. On the Margins On the Margins offers individual coaching sessions focused on healing and resiliency practices to deepen and sustain students’ personal, social, and academic well-being and goals. ABC LGBTQ+ Discussion Group Contact Autumn Johnson at aumjohns@ucsc.edu
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Lionel Cantú Queer Center The Lionel Cantu Queer Center will hold healing and processing space for all who want to be in company with others from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday this week. The Cantu team will host dinners at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday this week. Tonight, in addition to dinner, there will be a moment of silence in memory of Trans Day of Remembrance and in solidarity with Colorado Springs. This week's schedule Monday 11/21/22: Leftovers means no one is left out Tuesday 11/22/22: Soup and Stories Wednesday 11/23/22: Dinner TBD Thursday 11/24/22: Rainbowsgiving Traditional and untraditional delights will be served. If you would like to volunteer for family dinners, arrive at the Cantú anytime after 5 p.m.. If you would like to volunteer for Rainbowsgiving, arrive to the Cantú anytime after 1 p.m.. |
Resource Centers The professional staff in our resource centers have been working to provide thoughtful and caring support – and will continue to do so. Our resources centers include the African American Resource and Cultural Center, American Indian Resource Center, Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center, Cantu Queer Center, El Centro, and the Womxn’s Center. Slug Support Slug Support, through connection with case managers, offers students support in resolving a number of concerns including basic needs help, mental health support, and/or guidance about how to communicate with your instructors about your needs if you are feeling impacted by what is going on. |
The Diversity Center Phone: 831-425-5422 Website: www.diversitycenter.org National Alliance of Mental Health, Santa Cruz: Phone: 831-427-8020 Website: www.namiscc.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Phone: 1-800-273-8255 Trevor Project Phone: 1-866-488-7386 Website: thetrevorproject.org Trevor Text text TREVOR to 1-202-304-1200 Trans Lifeline Phone: 1-877-565-8860 SAGE Elder Hotline Phone:1-877-360-5428 LGBT National Hotline Phone: 1-888-843-4564 |
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Campus Police Department or 911 If you are feeling safe or wish to report a crime, we encourage you to file a report with the UC Santa Cruz Police Department. If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. |
Report a Hate/Bias Incident If you need to report a Hate Bias incident, please contact the Hate Bias response team. Report Sexual Violence, Harrassment, and/or Discrimination If you need to report sexual violence, harrassment, or discrimination please submit a Title IX report. Find out more about what is reportable under Title IX. Report Harrassment or Discrimination on the basis of race, religion, disability, sex, gender, age, and other protected identity. Make a report online or contact the Equity and Equal Protection Office. |
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