Armed but Unafraid: LGBTQ Gun Group Marks One-Year Anniversary in Pennsylvania
In the heart of suburban Pittsburgh, a vibrant community of LGBTQ gun owners has been steadily growing since its inception just over a year ago. The Pink Pistols, a nonpartisan network dedicated to safe and responsible firearm use for self-defense, now boasts 50 chapters across the United States and Canada.
At the core of this movement is a simple yet powerful message: "Armed queers don't get bashed." For many LGBTQ individuals, owning a firearm has become an essential means of protecting themselves against rising hate crimes. According to federal officials, the number of reported hate crimes doubled between 2015 and 2024, with transgender people facing disproportionately high rates of violence.
For Kevin Edler and his wife Lex, a queer couple married in September 2024, gun ownership has become an empowering experience that extends far beyond self-defense. They joined the Pink Pistols Pittsburgh chapter as curious individuals looking to expand their knowledge of firearms culture and community, but found a welcoming space where they could express themselves freely.
"I completely disagree that stricter gun control is the solution for keeping people safer right now," Lex said during an interview at the couple's basement-turned-dry-firing range. "I think it would be really detrimental for us to give up our firearms in a time when we are potentially at risk of losing other constitutional rights."
Lex and Kevin, who met three years prior at a music festival, began exploring gun culture after Donald Trump's election. They bought their first handguns during Black Friday sales and soon became involved with the Pink Pistols Pittsburgh chapter, which they founded alongside other members.
"The movement is gaining new members alongside expanding interest in gun ownership from minority groups," said Lex. "We want to maintain a big tent, where people of all backgrounds can feel welcome."
This sentiment reflects the Pink Pistols' core philosophy: pro-gay, pro-gun, and nonpartisan. The organization emphasizes that its mission is purely defensive, focusing on empowering LGBTQ individuals with the skills and confidence to protect themselves without being tied to any particular ideology.
As their social media following has grown, so have concerns about the group's reputation. Some critics accuse Pink Pistols of perpetuating a "gun culture" narrative that reinforces existing biases against marginalized communities. However, Lex disputes this notion: "Words like socialist might even get thrown around... But that's not part of our mission at all."
What is clear is that Pink Pistols Pittsburgh has become an unlikely hub for LGBTQ gun rights activism. The group's members come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, united by a shared desire to engage with firearms culture while promoting inclusivity.
Their message resonates deeply in a moment when rhetoric targeting transgender people has intensified, sparking heated debates and conspiracy theories. Amidst this turmoil, the Pink Pistols' inclusive community has provided a beacon of hope for many.
"We don't want people to stay inside and stay afraid," Kevin said during an interview with Pittsburgh's Public Source. "We assure people and give them the confidence that they deserve to be seen in public."
For Stephanie Strasburg, photojournalist with Pittsburgh's Public Source, documenting this phenomenon has been eye-opening. She notes: "It's instilling a lot of joy among our readers... We're seeing an outpouring of support from straight allies who recognize that an assault on anyone's rights is an assault on all of our rights."
As the Pink Pistols Pittsburgh chapter celebrates its first anniversary, it remains a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Armed with firearms and driven by a shared sense of purpose, this community has proven that even in times of turmoil, the power of unity and acceptance can be a potent force for change.
In the heart of suburban Pittsburgh, a vibrant community of LGBTQ gun owners has been steadily growing since its inception just over a year ago. The Pink Pistols, a nonpartisan network dedicated to safe and responsible firearm use for self-defense, now boasts 50 chapters across the United States and Canada.
At the core of this movement is a simple yet powerful message: "Armed queers don't get bashed." For many LGBTQ individuals, owning a firearm has become an essential means of protecting themselves against rising hate crimes. According to federal officials, the number of reported hate crimes doubled between 2015 and 2024, with transgender people facing disproportionately high rates of violence.
For Kevin Edler and his wife Lex, a queer couple married in September 2024, gun ownership has become an empowering experience that extends far beyond self-defense. They joined the Pink Pistols Pittsburgh chapter as curious individuals looking to expand their knowledge of firearms culture and community, but found a welcoming space where they could express themselves freely.
"I completely disagree that stricter gun control is the solution for keeping people safer right now," Lex said during an interview at the couple's basement-turned-dry-firing range. "I think it would be really detrimental for us to give up our firearms in a time when we are potentially at risk of losing other constitutional rights."
Lex and Kevin, who met three years prior at a music festival, began exploring gun culture after Donald Trump's election. They bought their first handguns during Black Friday sales and soon became involved with the Pink Pistols Pittsburgh chapter, which they founded alongside other members.
"The movement is gaining new members alongside expanding interest in gun ownership from minority groups," said Lex. "We want to maintain a big tent, where people of all backgrounds can feel welcome."
This sentiment reflects the Pink Pistols' core philosophy: pro-gay, pro-gun, and nonpartisan. The organization emphasizes that its mission is purely defensive, focusing on empowering LGBTQ individuals with the skills and confidence to protect themselves without being tied to any particular ideology.
As their social media following has grown, so have concerns about the group's reputation. Some critics accuse Pink Pistols of perpetuating a "gun culture" narrative that reinforces existing biases against marginalized communities. However, Lex disputes this notion: "Words like socialist might even get thrown around... But that's not part of our mission at all."
What is clear is that Pink Pistols Pittsburgh has become an unlikely hub for LGBTQ gun rights activism. The group's members come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, united by a shared desire to engage with firearms culture while promoting inclusivity.
Their message resonates deeply in a moment when rhetoric targeting transgender people has intensified, sparking heated debates and conspiracy theories. Amidst this turmoil, the Pink Pistols' inclusive community has provided a beacon of hope for many.
"We don't want people to stay inside and stay afraid," Kevin said during an interview with Pittsburgh's Public Source. "We assure people and give them the confidence that they deserve to be seen in public."
For Stephanie Strasburg, photojournalist with Pittsburgh's Public Source, documenting this phenomenon has been eye-opening. She notes: "It's instilling a lot of joy among our readers... We're seeing an outpouring of support from straight allies who recognize that an assault on anyone's rights is an assault on all of our rights."
As the Pink Pistols Pittsburgh chapter celebrates its first anniversary, it remains a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Armed with firearms and driven by a shared sense of purpose, this community has proven that even in times of turmoil, the power of unity and acceptance can be a potent force for change.
they're proof that being queer and pro-gun isn't about being extremist, it's just about owning your identity and protecting yourself 
I mean think about it, a lot of LGBTQ folks are already marginalized enough without having to deal with the added stress of hate crimes... giving them guns isn't about giving them more power, it's about taking away the fear 
I'm so inspired by the Pink Pistols movement 
! It's amazing to see LGBTQ individuals taking charge of their own safety and well-being through gun ownership 
, and I love how they're working to break down barriers between gun culture and LGBTQ+ folks 
. It's time to shift the conversation around gun ownership from 'us vs them' to 'we're all in this together' 
!
. I mean, who would've thought that shooting hoops (or in this case, shooting guns) could be a way to feel seen and heard? 
. And hey, who knows? Maybe we can all learn a thing or two from the Pink Pistols' commitment to unity and acceptance... 
I was reading some comments online saying that they're not just about gun ownership, but about community and support. Which is cool because, let's be real, having a community behind you can make all the difference in the world.
Is it just about being part of a community or something more complex?
Gun culture is becoming more inclusive by the day 
Can we talk about how empowering it is for queer folks to own firearms? 
Lex Edler's stats: 93% of LGBTQ gun owners feel safer with guns 
Also, did you know the Pink Pistols have chapters across Canada now? 
That's a whole lotta solidarity! 
. Maybe we just need to keep having these kinds of conversations and listen to each other's perspectives 
.
. Lex and Kevin's story is really powerful - it's not just about self-defense, but about empowerment and community 
. The Pink Pistols are about promoting self-defense and confidence, not reinforcing biases 
And what's with all the Black Friday shopping? Did they really need to go out and buy guns during a sales event to get interested in gun culture? 