As fear heightens in queer communities around the United States with the day President-elect Donald Trump retakes his spot in the White House coming closer, self-protection through gun ownership has become an increasing priority. Not only have firearm sales shown an uptick with LGBTQ+ individuals, but many are reportedly joining gun clubs and signing up for classes in case the worst possible scenarios happen to them or their loved ones.
“Three months before the election, that’s when the alarm bells started to ring,” said A., a 24 year-old transwoman who, speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer, identified by the first letter of her first name because of her perceived safety concerns.
According to data collected about trans citizens experiencing violence, the reason for A’s caution is clear. In a 2021 report conducted by UCLA’s Williams Institute, trans people were found to be more than four times as likely as cisgender people to be victims of violent crime. Corroborating with that study, a poll conducted by health-policy research nonprofit KFF and the Washington Post found that one in four trans people say they’ve been physically attacked because of their identity.
“Minorities that are armed are more difficult to legally oppress,” A expressed on the subject. She indicated she found some peace of mind by owning a gun “in the event of hate crimes or terrorist attacks, knowing that, ‘OK, I’m personally armed and I can protect my property and people that are close to me.’”
A. is just one of many people voicing caution and preservation through the possession of legal arms. Gun-affirmative groups like Rainbow Reload and the Socialist Rifle Association are seeing a surge in memberships. Many of these groups, to match their growing numbers, are seeing just as many requests for proper gun training.
“There’s definitely a feeling among a lot of LGBT individuals: ‘If I can’t protect myself, who will?’” said Madeline Shearman, a trans woman based in Glen Mills who runs a casual and growing “2A social group” in Pennsylvania. “I feel that way myself.”
Meanwhile, right-leaning talking heads like Fox News’ Jesse Watters continue to exacerbate the conversation. Recently, the news host mocked LGBTQ+ people for buying guns as a safety precaution ahead of Donald Trump’s second term, claiming they have no reason to be fearful, even in spite of skyrocketing hate crime rates and legislation stripping away queer rights, including the right to equal protection under the law.
Watters is no stranger to using speech that is homophobic, misogynistic, and racist during his on air time. The Fox News anchor has a history of inciting political volatility.
During a segment last August on the Fox news segment “The Five,” Watters encouraged purchasing and using firearms for self-defense and supported Kyle Rittenhouse’s deadly use of force at a Black Lives Matter rally.
From Watters’ perspective apparently, the LGBTQ+ community can look forward to a carefree existence with no protection needed during the Trump presidency, despite the mountain of evidence that indicates otherwise.