March 28, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

LGBT and Minority Groups Find Solace in the Second Amendment

By Doug Montgomery 

The election of Donald Trump came with a bitter-sweet, ironic cherry on top for liberals who opposed him: Although Trump has encouraged violence and emboldened violent people, gun sales plummeted to levels unseen during the Obama administration.

For almost all groups, the sense of urgency that accompanied a Democratic president evaporated. Almost all groups.

Those who felt targeted by Trump’s rhetoric — African Americans, religious minorities, and LGBT people — are buying guns in unexpected and unprecedented numbers.

Gun store owners are reporting an almost four-fold increase in minority customers, according to NBC News. (The FBI does not collect data related to a gun owner’s race or sexual orientation.)

Reina Mercado, a transgender woman who immigrated from the Philippines when she was 6-years-old, received her conceal-carry license just after New Year’s Day. “It feels better,” she told Motherboard. “It feels good. My friends are like, ‘oh you have it on you right now?’ They say that they feel better being with me.”

Still, though, the statistics are clear: Owning a gun places you at a higher risk of injuries or fatality.

Mercado acknowledged as much. “I know the statistics about concealed carry weapons. If you can run, run. You’re not going to help, trying to be a hero. Get out of there.”

She added: “I know I’m not a hero. I’m not a cop. I have no delusions where I’m trying to save the day. But if it comes down to a moment where I’m desperate enough to reach for a 2×4 or a pipe, I would rather reach for the gun.”

Related Posts

LA Street Will Potentially Be Named After Anti-LGBTQ Singer

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A portion of Bailey Street may be renamed to the late Mexican Mariachi singer ” Vicente Fernandez Street’ – a...

New Injectable HIV Prevention Drug Approved By FDA

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first long-acting injectable medication for use as pre-exposure prevention, or PrEP, against...

New CA Law Helps With Transgender Deadnames

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

A new California law requires public colleges to update diplomas and records for transgender students who have changed their names....

AIDS/LifeCycle 2022 Needs More Volunteers

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

AIDS LifeCycle is back with more than $4 million raised so far for the 2022 ride benefitting the HIV/AIDS-related services...

Long Beach Named One of the Best LGBTQ Cities

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

For the 10th year in a row Long Beach has been named one of the best cities in the nation...

Gerrie Schipske Enters Long Beach Mayoral Race

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gerrie Schipske announced on Thursday, December 30th that she would run for Mayor of Long Beach this year. The second-term...

Netflix Launches LGBTQ Podcast ‘The Gay Agenda’

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Netflix has launched “The Gay Agenda,” a new podcast that will look at the lives of LGBTQ+ creatives at the...

Hollywood Star and Gay Icon Betty White Dies Aged 99

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Hollywood Star and gay icon Betty White died peacefully in her Brentwood home in West LA  on December 31st.  She...

Out Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia Announces Run for the U.S. House

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gay Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced that he would be running for an open seat for the U.S. House. ...

LACMA Spotlights Queer Black Artists & Subjects

December 7, 2021

December 7, 2021

“The Obama Portraits Tour” and “Black American Portraits” exhibits at LACMA not only celebrate portraiture, but also queer Black artists...

WeHo Wins ‘Most Business-Friendly City Award’ from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has been awarded the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s 2021 Most Business-Friendly City Award....

City Council of WeHo Approves Draft Ordinance to Implement a Citywide Minimum Wage

November 10, 2021

November 10, 2021

The City Council of the City of West Hollywood has unanimously approved a draft Ordinance to establish a citywide minimum...

WeHo Announces “Hybrid” City Council Meetings

October 18, 2021

October 18, 2021

The City of West Hollywood will begin ‘hybrid’ in-person and teleconference city council meetings.  Starting on Monday, October 18th the...

Minor League Star Kieran Lovegrove Comes Out As Bisexual

October 15, 2021

October 15, 2021

Minor league and MLB prospect baseball star Kieran Lovegrove has publicly come out as bisexual. Lovegrove opened up about his...

Caitlyn Jenner Expresses Outrage After California Recall Vote

September 29, 2021

September 29, 2021

Republican candidate Caitlyn Jenner received only one percent of the California recall vote.  The 2021 California gubernatorial recall election was...