State Department Issues Travel Warning for LGBTQ Pride Celebrations

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The U.S. State Department has issued a warning for U.S. citizens traveling internationally during LGBTQ Pride month in June, urging heightened vigilance due to potential threats from extremist groups. This advisory underscores the need for increased caution at Pride events, which could be targeted by terrorist organizations or extremist actions.

 

The travel advisory, released on Friday, specifically mentions the risk of terror attacks, demonstrations, and other forms of violence aimed at U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The State Department's warning highlights an increased potential for violence inspired by foreign terrorist organizations against LGBTQI+ individuals and events.

 

The advisory urges U.S. travelers to be particularly alert in areas frequented by tourists and LGBTQI+ communities. While the State Department did not cite a specific event or threat, a spokesperson emphasized the importance of providing clear and timely information to help U.S. citizens make informed travel decisions.

 

This travel warning aligns with recent alerts from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which also cautioned against potential threats to Pride month celebrations domestically and internationally. These agencies have noted that foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and their supporters might target Pride events, exacerbated by a heightened threat environment in the U.S. and other Western countries.

 

The advisory references previous incidents and threats against LGBTQI+ communities, including:

• ISIS Messaging: In February 2023, ISIS released anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, denouncing the growth and promotion of LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Pulse Nightclub Shooting Anniversary: This year marks the eighth anniversary of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, where pro-ISIS messaging praised the attack.
• Vienna Pride Parade Plot: Last June, three alleged ISIS sympathizers were arrested for planning an attack on a Pride parade in Vienna, Austria.

 

Pride celebrations in recent years have increasingly faced threats from far-right extremist groups. Notable incidents include:

• Kansas Threat: A Kansas man was arrested last year for threatening to bomb a Nashville Pride event.
• Patriot Front Arrests: In 2022, 31 members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front were arrested near a Pride celebration in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, charged with conspiracy to riot.
• GLAAD and Anti-Defamation League Reports: Last June, these organizations recorded 145 incidents of LGBTQ-motivated hate and extremism, including the murder of a woman at a Texas gas station by a man who directed a homophobic slur at her.

 

 

 

Credit: The Hill 2024-05-20

 

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[Jingthing]

Considering that the U.S. got their prediction of a terrorist attack in Moscow at a concert proved to be correct even though Putin didn't listen, suggests people should listen. This is such a wide warning though geographically.

[impulse]

Coincidence?

 

 

[riclag]

All the terrorist groups & their supporters are to busy

right now with other pressing matters.

 

methinks

[Jingthing]

11 hours ago, impulse said:

Coincidence?

 

 

No.

There are pride events all over the world.

There have been right wing violent attacks on them in the U.S. and Europe.

This is about Islamist terrorist threats to them. I believe the threat is real. 

[Jingthing]

35 minutes ago, riclag said:

All the terrorist groups & their supporters are to busy

right now with other pressing matters.

 

methinks

Your post makes no sense to me.

They weren't too busy in Moscow.

[JonnyF]

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

This is about Islamist terrorist threats to them. I believe the threat is real. 

 

'Queers for Palestine' must be pretty shocked. 

[ChicagoExpat]

And, June is "Pride Month" so the timing makes sense.

[ChicagoExpat]

On 5/20/2024 at 4:07 AM, Jingthing said:

Considering that the U.S. got their prediction of a terrorist attack in Moscow at a concert proved to be correct even though Putin didn't listen, suggests people should listen. This is such a wide warning though geographically.

There are plenty of people who MIGHT do something -- it's not just jihadists, it's also those who think traditional values need violent defense.  And when they do something, they just play into the narrative.

[Jingthing]

38 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

'Queers for Palestine' must be pretty shocked. 

They can join chickens for KFC.

[Jingthing]

The state department has no incentive to make a warning like this if there weren't grounds for it.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

The state department has no incentive to make a warning like this if there weren't grounds for it.

Just covering their A$$s, as don't want a bunch of people crying if something happens ... "why didn't you warn us ? "

 

If you read all the travel warnings and took them to heart, you'd never leave the USA ...

... hmm ... stay here and spend your money here, comes to mind, as a good motive

 

Remember all the travel warnings for Thailand during elections, protests ... etc  Even now, 'remember to mask up & get your shots.   Get all those vaccines, as Big Pharm needs more profits.

 

Leave the country, just use common sense ... oops, too late.  Goes for all men & woman, and anything in between.

 

Don't go waving your rainbow flag in a Muslim No Go Zone.,  Or for the chickies, No Hijab or lots of skin showing.   White males, leave the USA/NATO flags at home, along with your Star of David t-shirts, or kippahs.

 

Don't see an "Don't travel, save the planet" warnings ... Big Oil needs their profits.

 

Besides, more travel, more carbon tax, and we get to waste more of your hard earned money.

[jerrymahoney]

I was long gone from US and Orlando when the 2016 Pulse shooting occurred as referenced in the OP. But if you notice from the map the Pulse Club was situated right near the The Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) where I numerous occasions and at all times of the day took my parents to ORMC for one malady or another.

 

I get the State Department alert and, though I am most unlikely to be near any of those warned events, does no harm to be on one's guard.

[Enoon]

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

The state department has no incentive to make a warning like this if there weren't grounds for it.

 

It is a "Travel Advisory", which is not the same thing as the specific security warning that the US gave to Russia.

 

UK Foreign Office has a standing travel advisory warning UK citizens against visiting the Southern provinces of Thailand.

 

The FO warning is about a permanent danger in a specific geographic location.  The SD warning is about increased danger at a specific time of year........unfortunately that is the way things are.

 

The SD warning should be taken as a "seasonal reminder" about the potential dangers around Pride events, rather than suggesting evidence of specific plans and intentions of the usual suspects.

 

Equivalent of "Don't Drink and Drive" messages during New Year etc.

 

 

[Hanaguma]

17 hours ago, Jingthing said:

No.

There are pride events all over the world.

There have been right wing violent attacks on them in the U.S. and Europe.

 

Yeah, like the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Oh wait....

[Jingthing]

49 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

Yeah, like the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Oh wait....

Wasn't that a lone wolf and not related to organized Islamist terrorism?

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

It is a "Travel Advisory", which is not the same thing as the specific security warning that the US gave to Russia.

 

I get the STEP State Dept. email:

U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

May 18, 2024

Security Alert:  Worldwide Caution