September 2025:

When the Sacred Is Shattered: Community, Healing, and LGBTQ+ Resilience After the Annunciation School Shooting

by Adrien Wolmark, PhD, LCSW

On August 27, 2025, tragedy struck Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis when a shooter opened fire during a morning Mass, killing two children and injuring 18 others. The violence pierced not only the physical sanctuary of a church but the emotional sanctuaries of families, educators, and communities across the country. For LGBTQ+ individuals—especially those who have long felt unsafe in religious spaces—the impact of this event reverberates with particular intensity.

In moments like these, grief is not linear. It is layered, complex, and deeply personal. For many LGBTQ+ folks, the shooting may evoke memories of exclusion, fear, or trauma tied to faith institutions. It may also stir a painful awareness of how violence—especially when committed in sacred spaces—can be used to reinforce narratives of marginalization. And yet, in the face of this devastation, community becomes not just important—it becomes essential.

The Power of Community

Community is where we remember that we are not alone. In the wake of the shooting, vigils have sprung up across Minneapolis, and faith leaders from multiple traditions have called for unity and compassion. Here in Portland, Jewish Family & Child Service (JFCS) and other inclusive organizations are offering trauma-informed support for anyone in need, recognizing that healing must be culturally attuned and identity-sensitive.

For LGBTQ+ individuals, finding affirming spaces—whether in queer-led support groups, recovery meetings, or inclusive spiritual communities—can be a lifeline. These spaces allow us to grieve authentically, without needing to hide parts of ourselves.

Self-Care as Resistance

Self-care in times of collective trauma is not indulgent—it’s radical. It means turning off the news when it becomes too much. It means reaching out to a friend, a therapist, or a peer support group. It means naming what hurts and giving ourselves permission to feel it.

For LGBTQ+ folks, self-care also means protecting our joy. Lighting a candle. Creating art. Laughing with chosen family. These acts are not distractions—they are declarations that our lives matter, that our healing matters.

Healing Is Possible

Healing does not mean forgetting. It means integrating pain into a larger story of resilience. It means honoring those we’ve lost by living more fully, more bravely, and more connected. It means refusing to let violence define our communities.

As Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated, “Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity”. In this moment, we must resist scapegoating and instead lean into compassion, accountability, and care.

Let us hold space for grief. Let us offer refuge to one another. And let us remember: healing is not a solitary act—it is a communal one.

If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of this tragedy, please reach out to local resources like JFCS, LGBTQ+ support networks, or trauma-informed counselors. You can also email Adrien, a JFCS counselor, here.

You are not alone. You are loved. And your healing matters.