Across the nation, panicked progressives are arming up ahead of Donald Trump‘s inauguration as they fear escalating political rhetoric and targeted legislation coming their way.
The National Rifle Association’s (NRA) woke rival, the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA) has seen a surge in new members in Philadelphia in the final weeks of 2024, leading the Delaware Valley chapter to add more gun safety classes due to the sudden demand.
The Pennsylvania city has also seen an influx of queer-focused Facebook groups and forums become hubs for discussions on gun training and ownership just weeks before the president-elect takes office again.
Along with the SRA, the Pink Pistols – a longstanding LGBTQ gun advocacy group founded in 2000 with the slogan ‘Armed Gays Don’t Get Bashed’ – has also noted an uptick in inquiries with more than two dozen chapters across the United States.
‘There’s definitely a feeling among LGBTQ individuals: «If I can’t protect myself, who will?», Madeline Shearman, a trans woman who runs a gun safety group in Pennsylvania, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. ‘I feel that way myself.’
A therapist, identified only as Doug, who decided to join the SRA after the election, has echoed the same concerns.
Doug, a former Boy Scout, purchased their first gun, an AR-15, in early December, over fears he might be targeted for identifying as gender nonspecific.
Specifically, Doug worries that authorities might flag him for being nonbinary, and that they might not be able to purchase a firearm in the future because of it.
Across the nation, panicked progressives are arming up ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as they fear escalating political rhetoric and targeted legislation coming their way
Some LGBTQ Americans are turning to self-defense as their ultimate safeguard as the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA) saw a surge in memberships in the final weeks of 2024
‘This country is not, I wouldn’t say, on very solid footing. As a Boy Scout, I’d rather be prepared,’ Doug told the outlet.
As the Republican Party has pushed for increasingly restrictive policies on gender-affirming care and divisive policies, some LGBTQ Americans are turning to self-defense as their ultimate safeguard.
‘It’s all about survival,’ said Matthew Thompson, a 36-year-old gay man from Oakland, New Jersey explained.
‘We’re not looking to arm up and storm the Capitol. We just don’t want to be put in concentration camps.’
Thompson’s words echo a sentiment growing louder within the LGBTQ community, especially in states where conservative lawmakers have advanced bans on gender-affirming care and portrayed transgender individuals as societal threats.
The Pink Pistols – a longstanding LGBTQ gun advocacy group founded in 2000 with the slogan ‘Armed Gays Don’t Get Bashed’ – has also noted an up-tick in inquiries with more than two dozen chapters across the United States
Doug, a former Boy Scout, purchased their first gun, an AR-15, in early December, over fears he might be targeted for identifying as gender nonspecific
For many, the idea of armed self-defense is no longer theoretical but something that feels essential.
A 24-year-old trans woman from Philadelphia, named only as ‘A’, made the decision to purchase her first firearm after months of unease.
‘Three months before the election, that’s when the alarm bells started to ring
As Texas upheld a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and Florida restricted access to hormone therapies, she felt an urgent need to prepare for her own safety.
By November 2, she had purchased a Ruger Security-380 pistol, driven by the belief that ‘minorities that are armed are more difficult to legally oppress.’
At an outdoor shooting range in Pennsylvania’s French Creek State Park, ‘A’ practiced her aim.
A 24-year-old trans woman from Philadelphia, named only as ‘A’, made the decision to purchase her first firearm after months of unease. (Pictured: Rainbow unicorns and the LGBTQ flag adorned her water bottle)
For many, the idea of armed self-defense is no longer theoretical but something that feels essential
Rainbow hearts and a ‘Protect Trans Kids’ sticker adorned her water bottle as spent bullet casings piled at her feet, with each shot she took reaffirming her sense of agency.
She admitted how she never envisioned herself at a gun range, yet, as anti-LGBTQ rhetoric reached fever pitch across the nation in 2024, she decided she couldn’t wait for protection to come from anyone else.
‘In the event of hate crimes or terrorist attacks, I know I’m personally armed and can protect my property and people close to me,’ she said.
‘I’m not trying to live in fear, but if no one else is going to protect me, then I will.’
After buying her first gun in November at Delia’s Gun Shop in Northeast Philadelphia, ‘A’ said she is now applying for a concealed carry permit in Pennsylvania, though she doesn’t plan to carry her weapon daily.
Her story is part of a larger movement, as another nontraditional gun group has also reported a surge in interest in recent times.
The Liberal Gun Club, a national organization that promotes firearm training for progressive Americans, has received thousands of new training requests, with LGBTQ individuals comprising nearly a quarter of those inquiries.
The Liberal Gun Club, a national organization that promotes firearm training for progressive Americans, has received thousands of new training requests, with LGBTQ individuals comprising nearly a quarter of those inquiries
Shearman runs a growing ‘2A social group’ for LGBTQ individuals, emphasizing responsible gun ownership and self-defense.
Experts note that America’s gun culture is undergoing a seismic shift. Historically associated with hunting and recreation, firearms are now increasingly seen as tools of self-defense, especially by marginalized groups.
David Yamane, a professor of sociology at Wake Forest University, and author of the book ‘Gun Curious’, calls the shift among LGBTQ gun owners part of ‘Gun Culture 2.0’ – where self-defense replaces traditional hunting and recreation as the primary motivator for firearm purchases.
He’s pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice protests, and the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando as pivotal moments that reshaped the nation’s relationship with guns.
‘It was a period of tremendous social unrest and uncertainty,’ Yamane said. ‘A large number of people in the United States, under those conditions, look to firearms to reestablish some sense of safety and security.’
He added that racial and gender minorities led the charge in new gun ownership during this time.
Historically associated with hunting and recreation, firearms are now increasingly seen as tools of self-defense, especially by marginalized groups. (Pictured: shooters with Pink Pistols)
For many in the LGBTQ community, the Pulse shooting remains a haunting reminder of their vulnerability.
Survivors like Brandon Wolf have since become outspoken advocates for preparedness, while others like Thompson have taken matters into their own hands.
After Pulse, Thompson began practicing firearm drills at home, setting timers to simulate emergency situations and honing his ability to respond quickly.
Despite the rush to arm, critics warn of the dangers associated with increased firearm access.
Studies consistently show that higher rates of gun ownership correlate with higher rates of gun-related suicides, homicides, and accidents.
For many in the LGBTQ community, the Pulse shooting remains a haunting reminder of their vulnerability. (Pictured, Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting)
Groups like the SRA emphasize responsible gun ownership, mental health awareness, and safe storage to mitigate these risks.
At a recent SRA training session in West Philadelphia, attendees learned the basics of Pennsylvania’s gun laws, safe handling practices, and the realities of firearm ownership.
Organizers stressed the duality of guns as tools of defense and potential sources of harm.
‘Guns are weapons, and they’re really good at what they do, which is killing things,’ one instructor said. ’85 percent of suicides attempted with firearms lead to death. So you have to be mindful if this is something you want to bring into your life.’
