Yes, you read that right. In 2016, the Antelope Valley LGBTQ pride festival had a booth sponsored by NRA. The local paper included it in their publication and it proudly hangs framed on my wall.
It’s not often that I’m proud to say I’m from the Antelope Valley because everyone’s heard about the reputation that is Lancaster. Sure the generation that references Afroman and All4One are getting older, but we are the Aerospace capital of the world. We built the spy planes that secured our freedom and protected liberty around the globe.
As a “double minority” and a small framed male, I’ve always believed in firearms as the great equalizer. Guns protect innocents all the time and my LGBTQ family should be no exception; especially in East Lancaster.
It only seemed natural to include the oldest pro gun organization that trains the largest unofficial army in the universe. I no sooner proposed inviting the National Rifle Association and the board of directors at the OUTreach center tried to block it. I defended their right to participate and volunteered myself as the point of contact for ANY attendee who disagreed.
The volunteers of the NRA approached me to ask about gender queer, trans and non binary because they were confused how it correlated with their mission to offer free classes for women. In the end they opened up the classes for any female and female identifying queer that attended and wanted to learn how to safely use a firearm.
While the board anxiously waited for their community to come screaming about the terrorist organization at their pride, I fielded compliments about their presence. Our event occurred on the heels of the Pulse Orlando event and LGBTQ people were ready to protect themselves. Ultimately the board of directors recieved glowing praise for their inclusivity, but they fought ME tooth and nail the entire way.
