The United States Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution aimed at “LGBTQI+ persons and events” on Friday, warning that there is increased potential for organized terrorist-inspired violence.
Friday’s alert didn’t allude to any specific threats or locations but singled out the LGBT+ community as a potential target of attack.
“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 alert reads in part. “The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.”
The State Department said people should stay alert while attending Pride celebrations. Though it wasn’t explicitly stated by the department, June, which is less than two weeks away as of Friday, is known in the U.S. and many other parts of the world as Pride month.
The month, which brings parades and other events across the world in an effort to celebrate the lives of those belonging to the LGBT community, has been met with violence and protests in recent years amid a heated political climate regarding sexual and gender liberty.
Just Thursday, the Downey City Council voted to adopt a “neutral flag policy,” which restricts flags flown on city property to just the U.S. flag, state flag, city flag and the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag. The city has previously flown the rainbow “Pride” flag during Pride Month.
