RuPaul’s Drag Race star Carmen Carrera recounted her harrowing experience during a deadly nightclub shooting in Miami Beach on Sunday, 7 May. The 38-year-old trans model and activist, who gained fame for her appearance on the popular drag show’s third season, shared her story on Twitter and Instagram.
High-End Club Tragedy The shooting took place at the luxurious GALA Miami lounge, which caters to an exclusive clientele. The club was hosting American rapper Fabolous and Colombian singer J Balvin that night. Carrera reported that she escaped unharmed by grabbing her friends and running out the door amidst the chaos. One man, up-and-coming musician Lowell Grissom, known as Everybody Knows Lo, was killed in the incident, and two women were injured, according to local news.
Grieving the Loss Carrera expressed her condolences to the family and loved ones of the late musician on Twitter and Instagram. She recalled his friendly demeanor and lamented the tragic reality of gun violence in today’s world. Condolences for Grissom have poured in on his social media channels as well. The motivation behind the shooting remains unknown, and the perpetrator has yet to be identified.
Addressing Gun Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community Although the motivation for this specific incident is still unclear, gun violence remains a significant issue in the United States, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. The 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting and the Colorado Springs shooting in November 2022 are stark examples of the danger faced by the community. A growing LGBTQ+ gun reform movement, including groups like Gays Against Guns, seeks to hold the US government accountable for addressing this issue.