US issues global alert amid threat of violence against LGBTQ+ community ahead of Pride month

The United States, on Friday (May 17) issued a worldwide alert warning that foreign terror organisations may attempt to target people from the LGBTQ+ community and events weeks ahead of Pride month.

About the worldwide alert

The US State Department warned American citizens abroad to “exercise increased caution” over a potential risk of “terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”

It added, “Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, including Pride celebrations.” The advisory also comes days after a similar alert was issued by other American law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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“Foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month,” said the US law enforcement agencies.

The warnings, which did not mention any specific location or event, come weeks ahead of Pride month which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community.

The State Department, in a separate statement, on Friday also commemorated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia.

“This year, like every year, we state unequivocally: LGBTQI+ persons deserve recognition of their universal human rights and human dignity,” said the statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

It added, “LGBTQI+ persons continue to face insidious forms of stigma and discrimination.”

In June 2016, a man reportedly inspired by the Islamic State (IS) group ideology fatally shot 49 people and injured at least 53 others at a gay nightclub in the US state of Florida.

US record on LGBTQ+ rights under scrutiny

In November, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) condemned the flood of state legislation restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ people across the US.

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At least 510 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures across the US, which according to the data from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was a new record.

The group’s report said that education and healthcare-related bills, particularly, flooded in at unprecedented levels.

Additionally, the ACLU also noted that there was a renewed push to ban access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth as well as regulate discussions around gender identity and sexuality in public schools.

As many as 75 of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed became law by the end of 2023, according to an NBC News analysis of the ACLU’s data.

(With inputs from agencies)