Join hosts Ti Cersley, Sarah Germain Lilly and Paul Rowley on the 9 year marker of the Pulse Nightclub massacre. After 9 years of gun violence prevention activism, we know that guns do not make you safer but the current political and physical threats to the Queer community are real and overwhelming. We continue the important discussion of suicide prevention and self defense. In Memoriam of Melissa Hortman, 55 years old, and Mark Hortman, 58 years old, 6/14/25, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

https://translifeline.org/

This episode…is part 2 of Self Defense in the Queer community series and we discuss the reality of physical and political threats to the transgender citizens in our country. Host Ti Cersley talks about threats to trans lives during the Trans Day of Visibility march in NYC. Also, a special interview with Libby Edwards and her dear friend and trans man, Conor about his experiences with threats, assaults and the reality of contemplating arming up. June is Pride and GVP month, so we’ve teamed up with Amnesty International and A4TE, Advocates for Trans Equality for a webinar “GUN VIOLENCE & THE EFFECT ON THE LGBTQI + COMMUNITIES” on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 8pm EST. You can register here: bit.ly/43BGzn8.

IN MEMORIAM: Jonathan Joss, 59 years old, 6/1/25, San Antonio, Texas

Join us for a new episode of Radio GAG on Self Defense. People generally and marginalized communities in particular have once again been expressing in social circles the perceived need to own a gun to protect themselves. “Protection” is the number one reason cited on polls of gun owners of why they chose to arm themselves. In this episode we hope to acknowledge the fear and actual danger people may find themselves in, while also asking deeper questions about who and what they want to protect themselves from and what risks and responsibilities come with their choice. . Since higher risks of death, suicide and injury are associated with gun ownership, it’s our mission in this show to give good information on how you can reduce harm associated with owning guns and extend the invitation to join our Gays Against Guns community and networks of queer folk and allies everywhere. GAG Guests: Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, Shannon Flores and Jessie Ojeda with George DeCastro Day and GAG co-founder Kevin Hertzog.

Episode #:1

Title/Topic: Artivism 2025

Hosting: Ti Cersley

Join host Ti Cersley for Episode 1 of 2025…How do we arm ourselves to fight white nationalism? Fascism? The return of McCarthyism? On this podcast the answer is Artivism! All art must be made! Our guest is Stonewall Inn resident DJ Chauncey Dandridge, we discuss artivism in NYC and his calling to support queer artists.

From The People’s March on Jan 18th, some inspiring words from Gays Against Guns President, Jay W. Walker. GVP Editorial by Robert DeDominc on how the Arizona House plans to reduce school gun violence by allowing more guns on campus.

Our in Memoriam: Starmichael Tucker, 30 years old, 1/2/25, Pensacola, Florida.

Guests & Socials: @djchaunceyd, @jaywwalker

Contributors: @robb_dedo

Parkland Remembrance at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

In this episode Sarah talks to Florida GAG member Dana Cotton about her commitment to remembering Parkland and supporting the community. Dana takes us to Project: Grow Love, a memorial garden started on the High School campus where 17 students and teachers were killed in 2018. Dana gave Sarah a sweet little painted stone from @RockinBrowardwithaPurpose at Gays Against Guns Pulse Memorial 2024, and Suzanne chimed in to tell us she made it!!!!! "Beth", Elizabeth Weigard, joins us with heartfelt and thoughtful commentary on addressing the tragedy of gun deaths in America. Robert DeDominic shares the unthinking and unfeeling action of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who has declared a tax holiday on the sale of guns and ammunition in Florida.

We remember the seventeen who died in this tragedy, and continue to work to reduce gun deaths and injuries.

Guests & Socials: Dana Cotton , Elizabeth Weigard @RockinBrowardWithaPurpose

Contributors: Robert DeDominic, Sarah Lilly

Costs of Gun Violence pt 3 : Safer Shopping to All!

In this podcast, we dig into some OG GAG history with Kenn Kidd, who organized direct actions against Wells Fargo and Fedex around their support for the NRA and gun makers. Our GVP news this week is about the costs of gun violence to taxpayers in Columbus Ohio, estimated at half a Billion per year, thank you to Sean Stefanic. We speak to Morgan Avirgean, the Campaign Manager of Business Must Act for Guns Down America about the ways the stores we shop in and the corporations that control them prop up the gun industry or actually make us safer against gun violence. Then dig into GAG’s corporate action wins with GAG activists and founding members Cathy Marino Thomas and Ken Kidd.

And as always we start with our In Memoriam, young single mother Jessinya Mina… Thank you to Libby Edwards for this contribution and our production team,.Sarah Germain Lilly, Ti Cersley, Sean Stefanic, Libby Edwards, Cathay Marino Thomas and guest Ken Kidd.

Join Radio GAG as we approach Transgender Day of Remembrance, this Wednesday, November 20th, holding Trans victims of gun violence in our hearts with a new podcast that pushes back against Christian Nationalist hate. Hosts Sarah Germain Lilly and Ti Cersley bring you Part 2 of Churches Against Gun Violence.

We speak to two faith leaders who see ending gun violence as part of their Christian call…Bryan Miller, of Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence and Shane Claiborne, author and founder of Red Letter Christians. Both men speak to a broad bi-partisan community in churches in and around Pennsylvania and in the national conversation on gun violence.

RED-FLAG LAWS – Extreme-Risk Protection

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, host Libby Edwards explores how red-flag laws can help protect individuals who are under immediate threat of gun violence. Our guest, Tom Verni, a retired NYPD detective with over 27 years in law enforcement and former city-wide LGBTQ+ liaison in NYC, will discuss the red-flag law and how extreme-risk protection orders can be used to stop firearms deaths in cases of domestic violence.

We will also review Manuel Oliver’s one-man show, "GUAC", now playing at the Public Theater, and "Trickled Down Decadence: Screams for Hope,” an exhibition where the artists address gun violence at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning in Jamaica, Queens, NYC. In Remembrance of Ellie Claire Young, 22 years old, 10/19/24, Memphis, Tennessee.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. Other resources:

--New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Hotline NYS: 1 (800) 942-6906

Hotline NYC: 1 (800) 621-4673

--The National Domestic Violence Hotline. 800/799-SAFE (7233). Their site is full of information that helps people understand and recognize domestic abuse. Also, through their website, thehotline.org, you can connect by untraceable internet, chat and text, as well as locate resources available in your state.

--Additional resources are available from everytownsupportfund.org.

--In NYC, the organization W.A.R.M. (weallreallymatter.org) provides support and shelter. Their crisis hotlines are: 917-736-1046, 917-736-0680 and 917-736-1621.

--NYC Anti-Violence Project:

--AVP.org/get-help Hotline: 212-714-1141. AVP also has walk-in appointments from 1-4 pm, Monday through Thursday at 116 Nassau Street, 3rd Fl.

--Additional sites with that provide excellent articles to further the understand the subject of domestic/intimate-partner violence.

https://vawnet.org/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/domestic-violence/

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/get-help-50-obstacles-to-leaving/

https://www.safehorizon.org/

Join us on Radio GAG for There's Nothing to it…VOTE!. Well there's a lot to it this year. Host Ti Cersley dives into few facts and final dates for registering and voting in NY. Sarah Germain Lilly held a roundtable with gun violence prevention activists who have been canvassing in the final days to this historic election. Guests: Ashbey Beasley, Sonni Mun, Josh Tjaden discuss their experiences going door to door in swing states to get out the vote!. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is a time to recognize victims, raise awareness, and support survivors of domestic violence. In Remembrance of Arlene Connolly O’Neill, 47 years old, 10/16/24, Yonkers, NY.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. Other resources:

--New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Hotline NYS: 1 (800) 942-6906

Hotline NYC: 1 (800) 621-4673

--The National Domestic Violence Hotline. 800/799-SAFE (7233). Their site is full of information that helps people understand and recognize domestic abuse. Also, through their website, thehotline.org, you can connect by untraceable internet, chat and text, as well as locate resources available in your state.

--Additional resources are available from everytownsupportfund.org.

--In NYC, the organization W.A.R.M. (weallreallymatter.org) provides support and shelter. Their crisis hotlines are: 917/736-1046, 917/736-0680 and 917/736-1621.

--NYC Anti-Violence Project:

--avp.org/get-help Hotline: 212-714-1141. AVP also has walk-in appointments from 1-4 pm, Monday through Thursday at 116 Nassau Street, 3rd Fl.

--Additional sites with that provide excellent articles to further the understand the subject of domestic/intimate-partner violence.

https://vawnet.org/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/domestic-violence/

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/get-help-50-obstacles-to-leaving/

https://www.safehorizon.org/

Join us on Radio GAG for Suicide Prevention Month and how to be aware if someone is contemplating suicide. Libby Edwards and Cathy Marino-Thomas host with guest Hudson Munoz, executive director of Guns Down America. We discuss how they ended the NRA’s lucrative insurance program, pushed major American banks to end their business relationships with irresponsible gun manufacturers, and forced large retailers like Walmart to dramatically shrink gun sales.

In Memoriam is Vanity Williams.

Contributors: Donna Aceto, Frank Gargiulo, Sarah Germain Lily, Ti Cersley

@gunsdownmovement

Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ young people four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. We will talk about suicide prevention--how to tell if someone you know is thinking of harming themselves and how to get help, in a crisis and beyond. Below are organizations that provide crisis support:

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: CALL or TEXT 988

SAMSA (https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicide/warning-signs). The Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration provides suicide warning signs for both adults and young people.

 

The Trevor Project (www.thetrevorproject.org): The Trevor Project offers suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. It provides guides and articles covering warning signs and suicide awareness. Their trained counselors are available 24/7 via text, chat or call. From a computer, connect from their website; otherwise:  

TO TEXT:  Send “START” TO 678-678   
TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH A COUNSELOR: (866) 488-7386

TO CHAT: Connect directly via their computer website at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

 

NAMI (www.nami.org) The National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms.

https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups/NAMI-Connection/

FOR HELP: Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264); TEXT: text “HelpLine” to 62640 or EMAIL: [email protected]

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention / Out of the Darkness Walks (https://supporting.afsp.org)
Out of the Darkness Walks to raise awareness and funds take place in cities nationwide.