Berlin, Germany – 2023/07/22: People marching with giant Pride flags during the Pride Parade. Berlin Christopher Street Day (CSD Berlin) or Berlin Pride Parade is an annual demonstration in Berlin for the rights of LGBT+ people. (Photo by Yauhen Yerchak/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The U.S. State Department has taken the unusual step of issuing a global travel warning related to threats against LGBTQI+ people. The warning advises Americans traveling abroad to “exercise increased caution.”
The warning was issued “due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or acts of violence against U.S. citizens or interests.”
“The State Department recognizes the increasing potential for violence against LGBTQI+ people and events inspired by foreign terrorist organizations,” the warning continues. The warning advises Americans abroad to remain vigilant in areas frequented by tourists, “such as Pride celebrations and venues frequented by LGBTQI+ people.”
Friday's warning follows a similar advisory earlier this week in which the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warned of “the potential for foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters to target LGBTQI+-related events and venues.”
“Foreign terrorist organizations may seek to exploit the increase in gatherings associated with the upcoming Pride Month in June 2024,” the authorities warned.
In neither alert, the agency did not specify the location or suggest it was tracking a specific threat.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
