Lesbian couple at the gun range in Ohio tonight, ....

[Deep13]

...specifically in Medina Township, Ohio. If you read this forum or if someone you know does, I want you to know that just because we all look like Bush voters does not mean we all are. I for one thought you we a breath of fresh air and was happy to see an increasingly diverse group of people being interested in the shooting sports. (As a side note, I also see more Black people and women shooting than previously.) I was glad that you feel comfortable enough to come in and shoot at least. The owners did not know what to make of a lesbian couple on "date night" and I hope they did not make you feel unwelcomed. I hope you will come back sometime. It really is the best gun shop in the area and one of the few with an indoor range. If Bill and Barbara get to know you, they will find they can no longer be judgmental. I was hoping to tell you this, but you both seemed a bit self-conscious and in a hurry to get out of there. This is a pretty red county, but that does not mean everyone one in it is a Republican or an Evangelical. So, again, it was nice to see you two and I hope you come back again.

I could not tell if you were shooting a Ruger Mark II or III, but that shop has a rubber Hogue grip that will fit either one. It makes a big difference.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. I used to be...

More of a Pachmayr kind of guy myself. That was a good time back.

[teotwawki]

2. I'm hoping to make Medina Co. just a tiny bit bluer

I have an offer in on a house up there now.
:hi:

[Deep13]

3. Cool.

Well, we're here.

[Nightflurry]

4. I know a LOT of GLBT people who carry.

Myself included, though I don't make it that well known except to close friends. I sure as hell don't want to shoot anyone but I'll be damned if I let some bigoted redneck take a baseball bat (or worse) to me or my partner.

It's not for everyone, but it's not a bad idea either.

[bluedawg12]

5. ...

When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine,
The guns o' the enemy wheel into line,
Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine,
For noise never startles the soldier. - Rudyard Kipling

[RetiredTrotskyite]

6. Yanno..

I don't think that you have to necessarily be straight or conservative to enjoy going to a gun range or to have permits to carry. The Second Amendment allows Americans the right to "keep and bear arms". I can see the value in learning to properly carry and use a gun for personal protection, something that seems to be increasingly important in this age of really crazy, violent homophobes out there. True, most are merely verbal, but for the minority of homophobes willing to back belief with action, hey, nothing like leveling the playing field a bit. There is a reason that a gun is sometimes referred to as an "equaliser".

I think it's great that LGBT couples interested in using gun ranges do so...maybe when some of these more right-wing types see that we are much the same as they are with the same interests, some of their homophobia will abate.

[Deep13]

7. Yah that's what I was thinking.

I got the feeling that they feeling uncomfortable and I hoped to let them know that I was happy to see them. I didn't know them personally of course, but I have to think I have more in common with them than with the people who usually frequent gun ranges. You know, people who think the media really is liberal or that welfare and not the war is bankrupting this country, for instance.

[IndianaGreen]

10. Guns are a great equalizer

Why should the RW be the only ones armed?

[HillWilliam]

8. I hope they look in on this forum

I'm guessing they may be the same ones as on another list I subscribe to. It's good that folks are letting them know that we have friends and allies all over. There are lots of LGBTQ folks who own and/or carry. I'm one. We're not that unusual -- just shy about it.

[Deep13]

9. I haven't seen them again.

Two more Friday nights at the range and those women have not been there. I hope they did not feel unwelcome and I REALLY hope no one said anything to them to indicate that. I can understand awkwardness on the part of the owners. I don't think I could keep going there if the owners actively discouraged that couple's return.

:-(