If you're going to pry it apart, use as wide a putty knife as you can find, preferably brass if possible and as thin as possible. Don't pull on the handle at all, just use the side of your closed fist to gently "hammer" it into the gasket space. Let the blade do the work, but don't go in really far. It should come apart fairly easily after just about an inch or so. There are dowels on the phenolic body you don't want to hit, so start at the back of the carb and be patient.
Soaking it in mineral spirits for a while won't hurt anything and may really help soften up that gasket.
Soaking it in mineral spirits for a while won't hurt anything and may really help soften up that gasket.