Reading candlelight vigil remembers victims of Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs

Nov. 30—Candles flickering in their hands, more than 200 members and allies of the local LGBTQ community walked slowly and silently along Centre Avenue in Reading.

They were gathered Tuesday night for a candlelight walk and vigil in memory of Derrick Rump, a 2002 graduate of Kutztown High School, and four others killed in the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs.

Bartenders Rump and Daniel Aston were killed along with Raymond Green, Kelly Loving and Ashley Paugh. At least 25 others were injured.

The Nov. 19 mass shooting has been described as a hate crime, though investigators have yet to detail the alleged killer's motive.

"We're here to mourn in solidarity because someone's hatred resulted in tragic loss of lives," said Michelle Dech, executive director of the LGBT Center of Greater Reading. "We are here because we are members of a community that is often attacked, and some days it is so dark, it's nearly impossible to find the light or the gratitude or to find the good."

Rump's mother, Julia Rump; sister Julia Kissling; and more than 20 other family members were among those who took part in the solemn event organized by the LGBT Center, which is headquartered in the educational wing of Calvary United Church of Christ, 640 Centre Ave.

The evening began with a short walk by candlelight from the church to Centre Park. The group gathered around an illuminated tree there and listened to a song performed by youth from the Yocum Institute for Arts Education. They then returned to the church for the vigil, which included remarks by Dech, Rump's family, state Sen. Judy Schwank, Reading Mayor Eddie Moran and the Rev. Dr. Steve Ohnsman, pastor of the church.

Cousins remember

"Derrick was the spicy and Daniel was the sweet," Nicole Rump said, remembering her cousin Derrick and his friend and fellow bartender Aston.

The woman from Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, recalled how her cousin could light up a room with his smile. She also spoke of Derrick's generosity toward the friends he considered a second family and how he sometimes bought groceries or paid the rent for those in need.

She and Derrick had much in common and remained close though they lived apart, Nicole said.

"My cousin Derrick Rump was so proud to be who he was, and so proud to be part of the LGBTQ community," she said. "And I'm so proud to be standing up here as part of his family and to be thinking about the person he was."

Jenni Blackmon, another cousin, said the Rump family offers its condolences to the families of the other Club Q victims.

"We need to stand strong for the future generations, to keep moving forward with love," the Danielsville, Northampton County, resident said. "Love wins over hate; love wins over fear."

A common theme

Rejecting fear and hatred was a common theme among the speakers.

"The shooting at club Q in Colorado Springs is many things," Schwank said, "but unthinkably, it wasn't shocking. In fact, it almost felt inevitable."

What is shocking, the senator said, is how common and accepted hatred has become.

"In the year 2022, blatant hatred is more mainstream and prevalent than I can recall in my entire lifetime," she said, "whether that's anti-LGBTQ, antisemitism, racism, you name it."

Hate crimes and mass shootings are experienced far too often, she said. But until historically marginalized groups cease being scapegoated and demonized, she said, attacks like the Club Q shooting will continue.

Hatred and easy access to high-powered deadly weapons form a toxic mixture, Schwank said, calling for bipartisan action.

Ohnsman, too, called on government leaders to act.

"As we reel in the wake of the massacre at Club Q," the pastor said, "we listen to the same hypocrites who have paved the way for this kind of terrorism with 'don't-say-gay' legislation and speeches opposing same sex marriage as they offer their 'thoughts and prayers.'

Advocates of guns rights complain about the rise in violent crimes while insisting easy access to guns isn't part of the problem, he said.

"I'm tired of thoughts and prayers, and I think a lot, and I pray a lot," Ohnsman said.

Ohnsman said he recognizes that his clerical collar and the church sanctuary could trigger trauma in those members of the LGBTQ community who may have faced rejection or condemnation from members of the clergy or congregations.

"We are not all like that," he said, apologizing for any wounds that may have been inflicted in the name of faith.

Following the vigil, a reception was held in the church's lower level.

Participants also were invited to visit the center to view two panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and other exhibits on display to commemorate World AIDS Day, observed Dec. 1.