Sad to see what has become of the Pink Pistols

[-hanko]

Who cares if a person that supports the 2A and RKBA is a part of another “community”? If they can follow the Four Rules, it’s not my business, I don’t ask, and don’t care. Let’s talk guns, shooting, ammo, reloading, and classes first. The other dosen’t matter.

Splithoof is correct.

If you're learning about guns, keep it on guns. Others don't give a schit about your sexual proclivities.

[tanman8907]

Disagree at least in Texas. Plenty of gay shooters. They do need to overcome initial hesitancy

I am curious as to your basis of your opinion. Mine is based on personal experience as well as the personal experiences of many of my LGBTQ peers. I could only find one academic study on LGBTQ gun use but it is a single factor case study and does little to create a deeper understanding of the potential 2A support of LGBTQ people.

Your statement, "They do need to overcome initial hesitancy" indicates a barrier to 2A support for LGBTQ people that should not have to be there and thus why I am inquiring about the state of LGBTQ shooting groups to begin with.

[tanman8907]

Splithoof is correct.

If you're learning about guns, keep it on guns. Others don't give a schit about your sexual proclivities.

This seems to be an optimistic but ultimately oversimplified view of the reality of the experience of LGBTQ people. In an ideal world, we could compartmentalize every opinion and view that we have but that is definitely not how it plays out in reality. The reality is that many 2A supporters ARE vocal about not affirming LGBTQ, do not even intermix with any LGBTQ people in their lives who would be 2A support curious, even feel uncomfortable around LGBTQ people, and the apparent need for LGBTQ accepting spaces within the 2A community is seriously lacking. It only takes one or a few of said outspoken unaffirming people in any 2A group to make someone LGBTQ uncomfortable to be there or likely not to even be aware of the group in the first place.

[Gryff]

While my personal romantic choices don't intersect with those who would be involved with the Pink Pistols, I do support any group that would be advocates for 2A/RKBA.

If someone wants to organize a small group that would like some handgun instruction (or just a chance to shoot), I would happy to host you at Richmond Rod & Gun Club. Depending on the day, there might be the need to pay a small fee for a bay rental, but it would be a nominal cost. I can provide handguns and ammo, although I would like to be reimbursed for the ammo.

[2761377]

This seems to be an optimistic but ultimately oversimplified view of the reality of the experience of LGBTQ people. In an ideal world, we could compartmentalize every opinion and view that we have but that is definitely not how it plays out in reality. The reality is that many 2A supporters ARE vocal about not affirming LGBTQ, do not even intermix with any LGBTQ people in their lives who would be 2A support curious, even feel uncomfortable around LGBTQ people, and the apparent need for LGBTQ accepting spaces within the 2A community is seriously lacking. It only takes one or a few of said outspoken unaffirming people in any 2A group to make someone LGBTQ uncomfortable to be there or likely not to even be aware of the group in the first place.

sorry, such a "need" does not exist.

the number of alphabet intersectionalists who support 2A is tiny, and of no political consequence.

[JWHuey]

sorry, such a "need" does not exist.

the number of alphabet intersectionalists who support 2A is tiny, and of no political consequence.

I am going to have to agree.

A large part of the 2a, and self defense in general, is that you cannot think of yourself as a victim, or, you will continue to be one.

That applies to all aspects of life...

[splithoof]

This seems to be an optimistic but ultimately oversimplified view of the reality of the experience of LGBTQ people. In an ideal world, we could compartmentalize every opinion and view that we have but that is definitely not how it plays out in reality. The reality is that many 2A supporters ARE vocal about not affirming LGBTQ, do not even intermix with any LGBTQ people in their lives who would be 2A support curious, even feel uncomfortable around LGBTQ people, and the apparent need for LGBTQ accepting spaces within the 2A community is seriously lacking. It only takes one or a few of said outspoken unaffirming people in any 2A group to make someone LGBTQ uncomfortable to be there or likely not to even be aware of the group in the first place.

[splithoof]

Yes, this is a really good attitude to have! Unfortunately, with how polarized society has become, many of your 2A peers do not act accordingly and it is hard for LGBTQ people to become exposed to someone willing to expose them to guns or to find a group where they can both feel welcomed and also enjoy developing a shooting trend in their lives.

Are they looking to be welcomed on the basis of their personal “status”, or looking to be welcomed as fellow shooters and 2A supporters? I am interested in furthering the 2A and shooting first; including someone on the basis of their lifestyle for the sake of inclusion is not how I operate. They can either demonstrate (or be willing to learn) safe and efficient gun handling or they can’t. If they can’t (or won’t be willing to learn), I won’t have anything to do with them. If they are good at gun handling and shooting, all are welcome.

[ivanimal]

We used to March in the S F and L A pride parades with the pink pistols. W always wanted solidarity among all gun owners. They were well organized just a few years ago. I am sorry to hear that they are not relevant anymore.

[tanman8907]

While my personal romantic choices don't intersect with those who would be involved with the Pink Pistols, I do support any group that would be advocates for 2A/RKBA.

If someone wants to organize a small group that would like some handgun instruction (or just a chance to shoot), I would happy to host you at Richmond Rod & Gun Club. Depending on the day, there might be the need to pay a small fee for a bay rental, but it would be a nominal cost. I can provide handguns and ammo, although I would like to be reimbursed for the ammo.

Thank you so much for your support and understanding. Unfortunately, I live in SoCal so this would not work out for me but I'm sure that there are LGBTQ people in your area who are curious to learn about/try guns and would like a friend like you to show them. The hard part is connecting :/

[tanman8907]

sorry, such a "need" does not exist.

the number of alphabet intersectionalists who support 2A is tiny, and of no political consequence.

Nobody asked for your unsupported, dismissive, and completely provocative claims in such a thread. Please take them somewhere else and learn to be more respectful to others.

[tanman8907]

I am going to have to agree.

A large part of the 2a, and self defense in general, is that you cannot think of yourself as a victim, or, you will continue to be one.

That applies to all aspects of life...

Okay, for one, this doesn't help or support my original post in any way and is getting way off base at this point. But also, labeling unassuming LGBTQ as self victimizing just simply for having a self-ascribed sexual identity and then attributing illogical causation to your predetermined conclusion that they will not be 2A supporters is flawed thinking and bigoted self-righteousness (I'm not a self-victimized person like they are). Please take that elsewhere; I didn't ask for it here nor is it appropriate on this thread.

[tanman8907]

This is a positive attitude to have as an unaffirming person willing to teach a LGBTQ person about guns. Unfortunately, I'm willing to bet that you are not close enough with LGBTQ people in your life (having the views you seem to portray) for them to feel comfortable enough to approach you to ask to shoot. It's not like someone who has never shot before is going to one day think, "I'm curious about guns; I think I will seek out that one guy whom I hardly know, but I think is unaffirming, to teach me about guns".

This is why I think a group like the Pink Pistols and etc is so crucial. It is a gateway to a large group within the LGBTQ community which is curious about guns to feel comfortable seeking out such information. It can ultimately build bridges between right and left, LGBTQ and unaffirming, over the matter of 2A support.

[tanman8907]

Yes, when you attend an event, most everyone acts and dresses straight. You wouldn't know if someone LGBTQ were there because they wouldn't feel comfortable in a group where everyone acts and dresses differently than them, especially if they find out said people are unaffirming of them (which can easily come up in a group where many likely are unaffirming).

It isn't a "need" inherently to be affirmed, but lack of open affirmation in a sectional group where lack of affirmation is common creates questions in LGBTQ people: am I welcome here? Am I safe here? Can I act like myself here without getting weird looks or judgmental comments? Are these people just simply tolerating how I act, talk, and look but are ultimately uncomfortable with my presence here? Nobody likes to go out of their way to insert themselves into a social group where such things are not present; it is human nature. This is why an affirming space for 2A curious people/supporters is something I would highly value and something for which I think there is a real need. If 2A supporters really want to include LGBTQ people in thier numbers then there needs to be such a space as the Pink Pistols where they can gain their footing without these other social roadblocks present.

[tanman8907]

We used to March in the S F and L A pride parades with the pink pistols. W always wanted solidarity among all gun owners. They were well organized just a few years ago. I am sorry to hear that they are not relevant anymore.

That is really cool to hear! Yeah, it is a shame and I hope to see them or some similar group take the reigns again soon. I am happy to help out with said organization if I can find others who are willing to help (I can't do it all myself).