I rolled out of bed on Saturday morning thinking I was about to have a great day. I planned a slow start because I’m getting older and hanging out on a Friday night can take a toll these days. Instead, I discovered my place of work had been attacked in the night. I spent the day with my colleagues picking up the pieces…literally. As we cleaned, I was (pardon the wording, but it’s the only phrase that fits) pissed off. Later, we learned we were just one of at least five queer spaces hit that night.

But here’s the thing about broken glass: when the light hits it, it doesn’t disappear. It shines. It turns into color, a prism, a little refracted sparkle. And if there’s one thing our community knows how to do, it’s sparkle, even under pressure.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge our friends and neighbors who were affected this weekend. These are spaces that hold our stories, our laughter, our sweat. They’re the kinds of places where someone’s always got glitter in their hair and nobody’s mad about it. They make Denver’s queer community feel like home.

Above Ground Salon on Colfax had a window shattered Friday night, one that proudly displayed a Pride flag. Just a couple of blocks west of us at Colfax and Ogden, they’ve built a space that celebrates identity and expression through hair, artistry, and care. Stop in for a fresh cut, a color refresh, or just to say thank you for showing up for the community every single day.

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop (DU Location) was also hit when a rock was thrown through a window displaying a Pride flag. Floyd’s has long been a visible supporter of LGBTQ+ inclusion, giving space for self-expression from behind the chair to the front door. Next time you’re due for a trim or fade, maybe choose their DU shop and show them some love.

Joy Movement Collective, Denver’s own queer gym, took a big hit too. Multiple windows were broken and others damaged. Joy Movement isn’t just a gym. It’s a movement for body positivity, healing, and strength. They make fitness feel like family and have built one of the safest, most affirming spaces in the city. If you’re looking for community, connection, or a new workout spot, this is your sign to join.

The GAZE den Boutique also faced vandalism when multiple vehicles parked in front of their queer-friendly shop had rocks thrown through their windows. GAZE den is where fashion meets inclusion, a place where gender expression is celebrated and confidence is part of the outfit. You can support them by shopping local, sharing their story, and reminding folks that queer joy always looks good.

At The Center, we recognize that by working here, we hold a certain level of privilege. We have size, visibility, and access to systems and institutions that some of our friends in the community may not have or may not want. That’s why it’s so important for us to acknowledge that these businesses were also impacted this weekend. We’ve decided to use our access to work directly with law enforcement, holding them accountable to find the person(s) responsible for these offenses. If any other businesses or organizations have been affected, we encourage you to come forward and file a police report.

The Denver Police department shared: "[the department] continues actively investigating this and several other reported incidents, while also doing outreach to other businesses that experienced property damage but who have yet to file a police report. The investigation is focused on working to identify the person or persons responsible, whether these incidents are connected, and the motive. The Denver Police Department encourages anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP(7867). The Department also encourage anyone that has been a victim of a crime, to report it to police."

We will continue to uplift our peers as much as we can, but please, make a point to support these and other locally owned QTBIPOC businesses. Their survival ensures Denver stays vibrant, creative, and unapologetically queer.

As the head of operations and finance at a nonprofit, I tend to think in numbers: $1,100 for boarding and glass removal. $5,000 for replacement glass. $1,200 for installation. $8,500 a month for security. But the larger cost is harder to calculate, the cost of fear. The fear local business owners feel wondering if they’ll face the same fate just for flying a Pride flag. The fear our staff, volunteers, and visitors carry when they take an extra glance over their shoulder before walking through our doors.

But here’s what’s louder than that fear: resilience. My colleagues (these are my people), the community members, staff, and volunteers at The Center are not distracted by the dollars or the time spent replacing windows. The outpouring of support from our community has been overwhelming. It’s a reminder that the beauty of this broken glass is that we’re all moving in the same direction, with new resolve and sharper purpose.

Looking ahead, there may be more broken glass. There may even be worse acts. Attacks on LGBTQ+ people (political, physical, and irrational) are increasing in Denver, in Colorado, and across the country. As our CEO Kim often reminds us: We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. The time has come for us to turn fear into bravery, to support each other, businesses, elders, and youth. We will not be erased. Join us in this movement to refract the edges of our queer joy into protest and revolution.

Even when they break our windows, they can’t break our light.