By Leonard Harris
Intolerance and bigotry are what the gay rights movement is supposed to be fighting. So you can imagine how surprised I was to encounter it at a gay fundraiser.
It was a Friday night and there was a fundraiser for Equality Virginia. This is the group trying to repeal Virginia’s recently passed “Defense of Marriage Act” which is so horrible that it not only continues government interference in marriage but also prohibits any private contracts that confer any similar benefits. Even if your employer wants to extend health benefits to your partner they can only do so if you have a traditional state-sanctioned heterosexual marriage. This is a good cause and a friend of mine from the Libertarian Party was one of the organizers.
I arrived and before I had hardly said two words to my friend, a person working the registration table asked, “Are you a cop?”
I replied, “No I’m a web developer.”
He then asked, “Why do you have a gun?”
“For personal protection,” I answered.
I should mention that for the last two years, I almost always carry a firearm openly, usually a Khar P9 or a 9mm CZ-85B. I do this for a number of reasons. It helps fight the stereotype that gun owners are just crazy mindless Bush supporters. It shows that people other than police and drug dealers have guns. It says I am taking the responsibility for my personal safety, criminals beware. Finally it reminds people that there are armed citizens out there and that would-be terrorists, tyrants, bureaucrats, and criminals are taking an awful risk when then mess with Virginia citizens.
Apparently, just my presence there blew some little minds away. I had barely gotten a Coke from the bar, when I was asked by the property owner to leave my gun in the car. I said I could leave, but wouldn’t feel safe with the gun in the car.
After all, this event was inside Richmond city limits. They have a serious crime problem. Why would I just announce to every criminal in the area that I just put something valuable in the car. With it no longer on my person, I would have no control over it.
My friend attempted to reason with the property owner, but to no avail. I ended up leaving.
I find it quite hypocritical that a group that rightly encourages us to be tolerant of one lifestyle, but isn’t tolerant of other lifestyles. Maybe next time Equality Virginia should put up a sign saying “No straight guys with guns allowed” or “Only gay stereotypes allowed.” I’m still playing phone tag with EV’s executive director after 2 weeks. Even after this delay, I’m inclined to believe that Equality Virginia does not promote anti-gun bigotry, but an official confirmation of that fact would be nice.
Leonard Harris sits on the Board of Directors of the Center for Liberty and Community and is the webmaster for the Free Liberal.