State Department issues warning on overseas Pride events

(NewsNation) — The State Department has issued a worldwide travel advisory urging U.S. citizens overseas to stay alert at upcoming Pride celebrations due to the potential for increased violence against people in the LGBTQ+ community.

“Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the State Department said. “Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, including Pride celebrations and venues frequented by LGBTQI+ persons.” 

In addition, State Department officials suggest enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts.

The State Department has previously warned about the challenges LGBTQ+ travelers can face abroad, saying on its website that “laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel.”

This latest travel advisory comes several weeks before Pride month, a particularly important time in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Since its inception in 1970, Pride month, which is held every June, has evolved into a nationwide event, with marches, protests, parades and parties to celebrate and bring awareness to vLGBTQ+ rights.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued a similar announcement May 10 that said “foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month.”

While the announcement did not specify locations that were being targeted or indicate the agencies were tracking specific threats, the FBI and DHS noted that foreign terrorist groups and supports have previously promoted anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and targeted related events.

One of the deadliest attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in U.S. history, the Pulse Nightclub shooting, came during Pride month. This year is the eighth anniversary of the attack on the Orlando, Florida, nightclub that killed 49 people and injured 53. Then, in June of last year, three people were arrested in Vienna, Austria, for attempting to attack a Pride event there, DHS said. 

Organizers of local Pride events say they are putting precautions in place to keep attendees safe.

The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio reports that the Stonewall Columbus Pride March and accompanying festival bring in 800,000 people to the city.

Stonewall Executive Director Densil Porteous said in a statement that the organization is aware of potential threats and warnings.

“We take these concerns very seriously, just as we take safety seriously every year during this event,” Porteous said.

NBC New York writes that organizers saw the alert and are paying attention to it but that this year’s celebration will still be full of joy, color and music. 

“We will do what we always do, which is work with law enforcement and our private security to make sure this is as safe as possible,” NYC Pride’s executive director, Sandra Perez, told NBC New York. Pride organizers said they will move forward with all their events as planned but will do whatever it takes to keep attendees and participants safe.