Thursday, May 30, 2024 The U.S . State Department’s travel advisory mentions that travelers remain vigilant during Pride celebrations.
It will take place throughout the world during the summer months. Ahead of Pride Month, the U.S.
State Department took the extraordinary step of issuing a Worldwide Caution alert tailored to LGBTQ+ travelers and their allies. The bulletin, deployed on May 17, urged citizens to “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, including Pride celebrations and venues frequented by LGBTQI+ persons.” It did not mention specific hazards or advise against travel.
While the State Department typically grades countries with safety ratings—ranging from Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) to Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”)—this blanket global advisory stands on its own, John Tanzella, president and CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), tells Afar. “The State Department’s recent worldwide travel advisory for LGBTQ+ travelers is a unique step, reflecting the increased focus on LGBTQ+ safety around the world,” Tanzella notes. The organization he leads, IGLTA, provides free travel resources while promoting equality and safety for the LGBTQ+ community in more than 80 countries worldwide.
It’s not a coincidence the warning was issued on the same day as International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia. This occasion marks the day the World Health Organization delisted “homosexuality” a.
