Across the nation, LGBTQ people are taking up arms, driven by fears of escalating political rhetoric, targeted legislation, and what many describe as the specter of persecution. 

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 to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

‘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. 

For many, the idea of armed self-defense is no longer theoretical but something that feels essential.

For a 24-year-old trans woman from Philadelphia named Amy, the decision to purchase her first firearm came after months of unease. 

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.

Across the nation, LGBTQ people are taking up arms, driven by fears of escalating political rhetoric, targeted legislation, and what many describe as the specter of persecution

Some LGBTQ Americans are turning to self-defense as their ultimate safeguard

Since Donald Trump’s reelection, nontraditional gun groups have reported a surge in interest

‘Three months before the election, that’s when the alarm bells started to ring,’ Amy said.

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, Amy practiced her aim. 

Rainbow hearts and a ‘Protect Trans Kids’ sticker adorned her water bottle as spent bullet casings piled at her feet as each shot reaffirmed 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 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.’ 

Amy first purchased her first gun at Delia’s Gun Shop in Northeast Philadelphia in November and she is now applying for a concealed carry permit in Pennsylvania, though she doesn’t plan to carry her weapon daily. 

Rainbow unicorns and the LGBTQ flag adorned her water bottle belonging to a member of The Liberal Gun Club

For many, the idea of armed self-defense is no longer theoretical but something that feels essential

Those joining Pink Pistols learn safe handling practices, and the realities of firearm ownership

Amy’s story is part of a larger movement. Since Donald Trump’s reelection, nontraditional gun groups have reported a surge in interest. 

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. 

In Philadelphia, queer-focused Facebook groups and forums have become hubs for discussions on gun training and ownership.

The Socialist Rifle Association (SRA), a leftist alternative to the NRA, has experienced a similar influx.

The Delaware Valley chapter reported a spike in memberships and saw its gun safety classes fill up faster than ever. 

The Pink Pistols, a longstanding LGBTQ gun advocacy group founded in 2000 with the slogan ‘Armed Gays Don’t Get Bashed,’ has also noted a surge 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?’ said Madeline Shearman, a trans woman who runs a gun safety group in Pennsylvania. ‘I feel that way myself.’

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. 

The Pink Pistols, a longstanding LGBTQ gun advocacy group founded in 2000 with the slogan ‘Armed Gays Don’t Get Bashed,’ has also noted a surge in inquiries with more than two dozen chapters across the United States

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

Sociologist David Yamane, an expert on American gun culture, 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. 

Yamane points 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.

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. 

Groups like the Socialist Rifle Association emphasize responsible gun ownership, mental health awareness, and safe storage to mitigate these risks.

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

In Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota, queer-focused Facebook groups and forums have become hubs for discussions on gun training and ownership

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 and activist, looks at the photos that are a part of the Pulse memorial in Orlando, Florida

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.’

Doug, a nonbinary therapist and first-time gun owner, attended the class before purchasing an AR-15. 

Concerned about potential future restrictions on firearm purchases for gender-nonspecific individuals, they said their decision was rooted in a broader distrust of the country’s political trajectory.

‘This country is not on very solid footing,’ Doug said. ‘As a Boy Scout, I’d rather be prepared.’