Dear Bristol Students, Faculty and Staff,

This weekend we received news of yet another tragic incident of violence impacting the LGBTQIA+ community on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance. In an all-too-familiar situation, a gunman opened fire in Club Q, an LGBTQIA+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, taking five lives and injuring many others. Although we do not yet have confirmation of a specific motive in this instance, anti-LGBTQIA+ violence continues to have a deep impact in our communities.

For LGBTQIA+ individuals, this can be a scary time in the United States. Many individuals are worried about their personal safety in spaces that are meant to be celebratory as well as equal treatment under the law, including access to housing, employment and healthcare. Beyond inequity on an individual level, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to grapple with uncertainty about the future of marriage equality or their ability to expand families through adoption.

At Bristol Community College, we are committed to fostering a college culture that is inclusive, respectful and safe for everyone, regardless of personal identity. We denounce all forms of hate and violence, which are contrary to the core values of the college.

We hope you find encouragement and support through the good work that we do at all of our Bristol locations through student life and our many centers including our student health services, LusoCentro, Holocaust, Multicultural, Veterans and Women’s Centers.

Student Services will be hosting a virtual listening session and community gathering next week for students who wish to reflect and share their sentiments. Please watch your email for more details.

In the meantime, if you need to talk or share - the college’s counseling services have trained staff available to offer support. Please call 774.357.2760 to connect with a counselor at any of our locations or stop by the Counseling and Health Services office, located in room G211, in the Commonwealth College Center (G Building), on the Bristol Fall River campus. 
 
Sincerely,

Laura

Laura L. Douglas, Ph.D.  |  President
Bristol Community College