Finding a place for rainbows in a sea of red has often been a struggle for those who identify as LGBTQ+ in Colorado Springs, a city with a rocky history when it comes to embracing and supporting the queer community. Even so, for two decades Club Q was an island of acceptance where many said they could be their true selves, among friends and without fear. The club, located inside a squat and nondescript building off the beaten path in the Springs’ northeast, was for many the definition of a safe space. It wasn’t safe enough. The illusion was shattered on the night of Nov. 19, when a gunman opened fire inside the club, injuring 17 and killing five, before he was tackled and subdued by patrons.