Arson Probe From October Continues on Historic Building
A gender-affirming clinic in Decatur, Georgia, suffered from an intentionally set fire in the historic building that formerly housed the clinic. The story was first reported by Decaturish, which is currently pressing the local police department for footage of the fire.
The local police department is investigating the suspicious fire to find out if the clinic was the target of the arsonist. The fire is considered a first-degree arson at the Blair Building, a pink building that was the site of QMed/Queer Med, a gender-affirming clinic for trans and non-binary patients.
QMed/Queer Med put out a statement that reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we address the recent incident at our QMed office on October 30, 2023. As some of you are aware, our building in Decatur was the target of an attack, now under investigation as first-degree arson. We are grateful that no one was injured, as the building was unoccupied at the time.
First and foremost, our thoughts are with our patients, staff, and the broader transgender and nonbinary community who we proudly serve. This incident, while deeply unsettling, only strengthens our resolve to continue providing compassionate, expert gender-affirming care.
Our mission at QMed, since our inception by Dr. Izzy Lowell, has been to offer gender-affirming hormone therapy and support to transgender and nonbinary individuals. This mission is more than a professional commitment; it is a dedication to the fundamental right of every individual to live authentically and safely.
In these trying times, our commitment to you, our patients, and the community remains unwavering. We understand the vital role we play in so many lives, and we assure you that this incident will not deter us from providing the care and support you deserve. Our team of experienced medical professionals continues to stand ready to deliver personalized, evidence-based care with the utmost empathy and understanding.
We are working closely with local authorities and have taken additional measures to ensure the safety and security of our patients and staff. In light of this incident, we are also engaging with community leaders and advocacy groups to address the broader issues of safety and support for the LGBTQ community.
While the investigation is ongoing, and we await further details, our focus remains clear – to serve you with dignity, respect, and the highest standard of medical care. We are here to navigate this journey with you, reinforcing our shared values of equality and inclusivity.
We thank you for your ongoing support and trust in QMed. Together, we will continue to break barriers and build a more understanding and accepting world. Your courage inspires us every day, and we stand in solidarity with each of you now more than ever.
In unity and resilience.”
The following is the statement of the Decatur Fire Department:
“On the morning of October 30, 2023, the City of Decatur Fire Rescue Department responded to a structure fire at a commercial office building located at 215 Church Street in downtown Decatur. This historic building is commonly known as the Blair Building.
Fire crews extinguished the fire upon arrival. The fire was contained to one office, and no injuries were reported.
After a full investigation, the fire incident has been determined to be incendiary in nature, indicating that the fire was intentionally set. However, the identity of the individual or parties responsible is unknown.
The city is collaborating with federal and state agencies to investigate this incident. The City will continue to work closely with these agencies to investigate and solve this crime.
