GAG wants YOU to spray paint your clothes with our stencils and then WEAR THEM at The March with us!

Join your fellow GAGGERS tomorrow, June 23rd, for our ANNUAL SPRAY PARTY at Lucky Bar (168 Avenue B between 10th & 11th Streets) from 1:00pm – 5:00pm! Bring a t-shirt, jacket, messenger bag, hat, bra or jockstrap to spray paint the Gays Against Guns logo onto, and have fun huffing paint with your GAG family. The family that huffs together stays together!

Then the NEXT DAY, Sunday, June 24th, is the PRIDE MARCH! There’s been a LOT of contention around the organization of The March this year. Not least of which comes from Heritage of Pride limiting each contingent to 200 participants. They’re issuing wristbands, and asking folks to show the wristband to access the holding area, from which we’ll be stepping off to join the March. Because of this provision, GAG decided to ask as many of us as possible to participate as Human Beings (the folks dressed in all white, each of whom represents someone who lost their life to gun violence). Our *goal* number is 104 Human Beings, because that’s the average number of people who die from a gunshot every day in The United States. At this time we have 75 people confirmed and over 30 who’ve signed up but haven’t replied to our confirmation text / email. So, if you’re definitely interested in being an HB but haven’t signed up yet, PLEASE email us at : hbspride18@gmail.com

If you want to march with us, but are NOT interested in being an HB, you have a few options. We’re looking for a some more marshals, and a few more HB wranglers (people who’d make sure the HB’s are fine, have water if needed, and don’t get approached by other marchers). If you’re interested in helping out in those ways, please also email us at : hbspride18@gmail.com. You’ll be asked to wear all black so as to distinguish yourself from the HB’s. The OTHER option is slightly more complicated. We definitely want as many people to march with us as possible, and we encourage you to join us, even if you don’t have a wristband. We were told that some of the Resistance contingents would be arriving with fewer than 200 people, and that the Heritage of Pride volunteers who will be staffing the entrance to our staging area, which is 17th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues, would make allowances for that fact. (IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE : you MUST approach this area from the WEST side of the avenue. There will NOT be an opportunity to cross the avenue at 17th Street, or probably anywhere near there). It is, however, crucial to know that we don’t have any assurances from HOP that people without wristbands will be allowed into our staging area. This is one of the many, many issues that some individuals, as well as the group The Reclaim Pride Coalition, have been upset with Heritage of Pride about. To voice your anger and/or concerns, attend the Reclaim Pride Coalition meeting tomorrow (Saturday 6/23) morning at The Center (208 W 13th Street in Manhattan) from 11:00am – 2:00pm and make yourself heard.

So, we’d love to see you all there, but be forewarned that there’s a possibility that it will include an argument at the gate. There will be GAG members at 17th St & 7th Ave at all times, so please reach out to them if you’re experiencing difficulty entering the staging area. This is OUR March, and we do NOT want ANYONE to be kept from participating in it.

Gays Against Guns had our very first public appearance at The Pride March in 2016. It was only a few short days after the Pulse shooting, and our emotions were raw and on display. We could never have imagined that GAG would not only survive, but flourish into a national organization, with new chapters springing up often. We’ve introduced direct action and civil disobedience into the vernacular for the Gun Violence Prevention movement, and we’ve charted a course for new groups, such as March For Our Lives, by showing them that the time for polite conversation around the topic of gun violence has past. We’re so VERY proud of the work that we’ve done, and the accomplishments that we’ve made. And we owe it all to you : our membership. YOU ARE GAG! JOIN US AT THE MARCH AND CLAIM YOUR SPACE!!!

For more info about GAG, visit : www.gaysagainstguns.net