There was one Second Amendment March speech that was not included with the others I've been writing about in recent days. I understand we all have a right to promote that which we think advances our cause, so it's not my place to impose my presumptions over what someone else chooses to showcase. I will, however, take this opportunity to do what I can to promote the right of all peaceable people to keep and bear arms on a site where I control the content.
One of the featured speakers was Nicki Stallard, a transsexual representative of Pink Pistols, the LGBT gun rights group. I spoke with Nicki briefly at the event and think her speech deserves being spotlighted along with all the others—after all, she made the same effort to get there and deliver that the rest of us did.
Here is Stallard's speech:
I understand many gun owners, particularly those who are "conservative" and religious, have strong beliefs, and alternative sexuality is a topic many treat with extreme discomfort (at a minimum). I hope those beliefs notwithstanding, we can agree that all peaceable people have the right to defend themselves from unjust aggression and hate-inspired violence.
I wrote the original "Inclusion Policy" on the now-defunct GunTruths website, and it was adapted and posted on KeepAndBearArms.com:
We support the right of all peaceable people to keep and bear arms.
Your age, race, gender, religion, political party, sexual orientation, or national origin are of no concern to us.
Anyone who requires you to disarm is not your friend -- and not our friend.
Only when all peaceable people can freely exercise their inalienable right to self defense, and their right to keep and bear arms, will we attain the ultimate safeguard for our mutual protection -- as individuals, as members of a community, and as citizens of the Republic.
The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness extends to all peaceable human beings.
All peaceable people who support the right to keep and bear arms are welcome here.
Acceptance by others is not a requirement for recognizing our—that is—your unalienable rights. I trust we all can recognize the danger of insisting otherwise...?
Comments
You don't need to be 'straight' to fight for your country.
You just need to shoot straight.
-- Barry Goldwater
Pink Pistols are inclusive. I once asked them what it took to be a member. They said that as long as you support the principle that they should have the freedom to arm themselves, you WERE a member. So I'm a member.
Good on ya, David. Will mirror at WRSA when day's travel ends.
David,
Thanks for airing Nicki's speech. I met her at the 2007 GRPC and was gratified by the warm welcome she received there. I'm sorry that outlets such as ConservativeTVonline have chosen to not be so welcoming. But, it's a free country.
Yes, sadly, even in his own hypocrisy, Theodore Roosevelt's notion of not being divided along intra-national lines applies here (the issue of homosexuality was not one of the things Roosevelt supported). Armed individuals are Citizens, unarmed individuals are Subjects, and when it comes down to it, the more Citizens we have, the better we are able to actually engage in commanding (as opposed to being the servants of) the Republic we all love.
roosevelt was more than a little insane, and the principles he held behind that stance are questionable, but the words are mostly true. it's human rights that are at issue, and even between and among nations there is no room for compromise on liberty.
Having attended the march in Washington, I wondered if you would mention Nicki. I figured that ConservativeTVonline would not post the speech.
Thanks David for showing it and this way your readers can understand that we all need to defend our 2A rights no matter who we are.
David, I wish that I had gotten a chance to speak with you that day!
Carry On!
Lenny Benedetto
Vice President
CCDL, Inc.
The 2nd amendment Trumps every other issue because. Without it, all of our other rights are governmental revocable privileges.
When/if the fight comes, I will not care if the person fighting alongside me is gay. Nor will their race, religion, or anything else matter. All that will matter is that they are fighting for the same liberty I am fighting for.
I've said for a long time that the existence of The Pink Pistols and the Second Amendment Sisters prove pretty conclusively that we've won the war of ideas on the topic of Second Amendment rights. I've had the privilege of meeting a lot of the people who started both groups, and you won't find more dedicated and effective advocates for RKBA.
One of the points I've heard stressed by both groups is how much support and acceptance they have found in the RKBA movement. No real surprise there; freedom lovers in general tend to be a "live and let live" crowd.
Kent has it right. "The war is actually begun! ... Our brethren are already in the field!" A war mostly of words so far (and let us pray it stays that way), but war nonetheless. Only thing that concerns me at all about any potential ally is that they come armed and prepared to do battle, whether it be the clash of ideas or sterner demands.
Good for you David for supporting the Second Amendment regardless of who is promoting it! This is still America. While I don't approve of homosexuality personally, as an American I fully support their right to pursue their idea of happiness as long as they don't throw it in our face and try to force it on us. I too will fight side-by-side with anyone who's willing to pledge their life for American liberties regardless of their sexual preferences, race, religion, nationality (I'll fight beside illegal aliens too even though I oppose illegal entry into this country AND would support legislation granting any such person citizenship after the war is won!), political affiliation (demoncraps and Republicraps too as long as they're fighting for the Constitution and Freedom). We need every committed warrior we can get to win this fight for America.
Well said, David. It's all too easy these days to cast others aside as different; it always warms my heart to see people recognize others for their essential humanity, first and foremost.
No matter how different anyone may be from me, if you're a peaceable human being (by which I mean "non-aggressor"), you have the right to your enforce your own sovereignty, and you're welcome at my table.
David,
Thanks for including Stallard's speech. Whether or not I agree with his/her lifestyle has no bearing upon his/her rights as a sovereign citizen of the United States or his/her right to defend life and/or property. Actually, as far as that goes, I don't care what a person chooses to be (even a gun hating collectivist liberal) as long as that person doesn't attempt to cram his religion down my throat.
[W3]
"If a man has sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman, the two of them have committed an abomination. They must be put to death; their blood guilt is on themselves"
Leviticus 20:13
Flesh it out for us, JohnPaul: Who is going to do the death-putting? You? State functionaries who may not share your beliefs but will take the paycheck? How exactly do you propose this will work?
"We must hang together, ......else, we shall most assuredly hang separately."
As a conservative Christian I do not condone the lifestyle, but I surely do support their rights as Americans; among them, the right to bear arms. Maybe JohnPaul needs to meditate a bit on John 8:2-11, 1 Cor. 5:9-10, and esp. Luke 18:9-14 (hint: it's much easier to be the Pharisee than to be humble, and to love those you are fundamentally at odds with...choose love).
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!