Every marcher in the parade should carry signs that say "we don't need guns to compensate". Or they could open carry tgemselves.

I hold firm that if a lot of people of color and women and LGBTQ people started open carrying outside general sporting events or like straight strip clubs or other places dominated by cis straight white men, open carry would be banned everywhere.

The problem is that when people of color open carry even toy guns, they get shot by cops.

Well sure with your logic and stuff, but maybe not at a parade while you know, in the parade.

One can hope!

I'm just saying -- if I weren't white, I wouldn't even make finger guns.

I was going to ask if moving the venue for Pride is an option, and just nobody tell the gun people? Let 'em show up and strut, with nobody there to watch or intimidate be reassured of their "safety."

I want to know where is my right not to be frightened and intimidated in public places by citizens carrying guns. Hell, armed LEOs make me get up and leave. I'm sure not sticking around anywhere armed yahoos are festooned with instruments of death and destruction. Stores, malls, shops, parks, plazas, office buildings, take note. They walk in, I and my wallet walk out, and will not be back if I can arrange alternatives.

That is awful, Steph. What a nightmare for Pride.

They don't care, and they want to send a message (that message being "Remember what happened before? There's a lot more of us, and we all have guns."

Which is kinda one definition of terrorism.

sigh. remember when it didn't feel like the country was being torn apart by hate? that was nice

Welp. I found out very early this morning that some colleagues suddenly left the company. I don't know what drama or scandal went down. I'm back from the mindfulness meditation retreat, and unfortunately I'm the only one on my team working right now. I've got all the escalations, all the people complaining that we haven't responded quickly enough, and I'm trying to remain calm even though I really just want to start inviting people to go die in a fire.

On the other hand, I'm having dinner with friends tonight, so that'll be nice.

Perhaps someone with a pet alligator should bring it to a day care center to show how friendly they are.)

Oh, I like that. I'm using that metaphor, if you don't mind.

I'm sure not sticking around anywhere armed yahoos are festooned with instruments of death and destruction. Stores, malls, shops, parks, plazas, office buildings, take note. They walk in, I and my wallet walk out, and will not be back if I can arrange alternatives.

Me too. I was in Heathrow airport baggage claim once and soldiers with machine guns (don't know the technical term) were posted as security guards, and even knowing they were there to ensure peoples' safety I didn't feel safe. I was there for almost two hours waiting for my friend, just sitting around, and I felt like any second they were going to approach me and demand to know why I was still there. I haven't seen the display of soldiers there anytime since, so I wonder if there was a terror alert happening then or something. Regardless. Didn't feel particularly comfortable around those huge guns.