Firearm use is not entirely foreign for Tempe resident Duncan Stapleton as he grew up in a family with gun enthusiasts. But as someone who identifies as queer, Stapleton receded from those spaces until he came across a booth for SEIS Guidance during the Rainbows Festival in late March at Heritage Square Park in downtown Phoenix.
Based in the Valley, SEIS (Safe Equal Inclusive Spaces) was launched just little more than a year ago after being conceived with folks like Stapleton in mind. The Valley-based nonprofit offers free-of-charge sessions on personal defense and concealed carry education and trauma first-aid training.
"One of my big fears as being a part of the community is just not having those spaces, especially when it comes to gun safety.
Having those spaces largely dominated by people who maybe don't accept me," Stapleton said.
The need for protection is all the more urgent for many of Arizona's LGBTQ+ community. On Aug. 31, a gunman in Tucson killed two outside gay bar Venture-N in what police said was a targeted attack against LGBTQ+ people.
SEIS aims at instituting a welcoming environment for those with a "strong desire" for training, but who would rather avoid courses led by right-wing "gun bros," said community outreach director and administration head Megan Anderson, 41.
Training by SEIS addresses "how to handle those situations similar to what unfortunately happened in Tucson recently. Just things to think about in response to that very real threat. ... We're hoping it doesn't ever come to that, but (instead) to be as prepared as possible is really what we're going for," Anderson said.
SEIS' lead instructor, Jonathan Elliott, is a brawny 54-year-old former U.S. Marine with firearm education going back to the 1990s and whose listed experience includes National Rifle Association- and American Red Cross-certified instruction and security work. Elliott and Anderson go by they/them pronouns and, like most of SEIS' students, are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
"Our goal is to dismantle fear through education, solidarity and mutual support. And really just help keep ourselves safe as a community," Elliott said.
A lot of people take the firearms class with the sole aim of getting a concealed carry permit to shield themselves from threats, Elliott said. However, SEIS manages to broaden students' expectations for safety beyond an idea that guns are all that can be used for safety, Elliott added.
"Learn the skills to build community and have our communities keep one another safe," Elliott said about their instruction. They added some students will say, "You've given me a lot to think about, I don't think that's the path I want to take anymore."
"And that to me is a success," Elliott said.
The classes often fill up within hours of their availability being posted, Anderson said. The firearm sessions are held at Phoenix Rod & Gun Club and the first-aid class is usually at a community center in Tempe.
Since attendees are not expected to pay, SEIS relies heavily on donations and its website offers multiple ways of donating. Those interested in signing up for the next class can review the schedule online.
SEIS will host a table on Oct. 11 at the Phoenix Pride Festival at Arizona Center on Third Street near Taylor Street in downtown Phoenix. Attendees will learn how to apply tourniquets at SEIS' table, where Anderson and Elliott hope to reach out to more people like Stapleton.
He did the first-aid training over the summer, which he said featured a lot of useful information. Stapleton is currently on a waitlist for the firearm training and encourages others to sign up.
The more individuals with "access to this information, and understand how to go about first aid and go about guns in a safe manner, I think can only benefit people," Stapleton said.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Amid threats, Phoenix nonprofit shows LGBTQ+ community firearm safety
