A new LQBTQ+ resource center ‘Prism’ open

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A new space for the LGBTQ+ community and survivors of the Club Q shooting opened on Wednesday in Colorado Springs ahead of Pride Month. Prism worked with partners, survivors, and victims’ families for more than a year to develop the new space and its programming.

“The vast majority of people who are seeking care for an identity-related thing are experiencing really long wait times, like months, or needing to travel 60 miles one way to Denver once a month plus just to get care that most folks in a city the size of Colorado Springs would have access to without a lot of burden,” said Rachel Keener manager at Health Equity.

Each room in the Prism is named after one of the five people who lost their lives in The Club Q shooting in November 2022: Kelly Loving, Derrick Rump, Ashley Paugh, Raymond Green Vance, and Daniel Aston.

“I really asked myself how I could give back to the survivor community and how I could give back to the friends that I lost that evening. And I will say that I can stand here today and say that I believe I made my really good friends, Derek and Daniel proud,” says John Arcediano the Program and Outreach Manager of Prism.

The rooms focus on a different resource the Prism provides, each decorated to represent the people they are named after.

“Ensuring that they have a safe, comfortable space to come in and access resources, navigation, and just a space in general that is a service space for them to come and be in community,” added Arcediano, who is also a survivor of the Club Q shooting.

Kelly’s Closet is one of the rooms complete in Kelly Loving’s favorite color purple, a space that offers people a place to shop for gender-affirming clothes.

Derrick’s Domain is the biggest room and it’s a space for people to gather and have meetings, Derrick was a bartender at Club Q who lost his life but had a passion for bringing people together.

Ashley’s Area has couches, pillows, and all things comfort in an area that can be used to relax, meditate, or schedule a counseling meeting.

Raymond’s Room is the ultimate game room with a PlayStation and a large couch to watch movies play video games or just hang out in.

Daniels Den is a library filled with inspiring books to help people navigate their identity.

Many of the victims’ families took part in decorating each room to ensure it captured each personality.

“The families have been involved every step of the way. We do have some of the family members who sit on the advisory board with us and have been a voice of what Prism should be, said Arcendiano.

In addition to each specialized room, there is a space for physical health exams and a kitchenette filled with food donations.

Prism is taking food donations and clothing donations for anyone who is interested.

“One of the things that we are really hoping comes out of this center is, yes, community belonging, and all of that, but creating a space where folks can advocate for what they need, where we can bring mental and physical care providers into this space and help them learn about our community, how to serve us, and really make sure that the Pikes Peak Region has equitable services for all of us,” says Keenen.

The money for the center comes from the Federal Anti-Terrorism Emergency Fund. Keenen told Fox21 that Prism has a yearly grant of $1.7 million for three years.

The Prism is located at 711 S. Tejon St in downtown Colorado Springs for anyone who wants to use their resources or find community.

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