US State Department Issues Warning for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Facts

• On Friday, the US Dept. of State issued a rare worldwide travel warning for LGBTQ+ Americans and those visiting tourist areas or events associated with the LGBTQ+ community, citing an increased risk of terrorist violence.¹
• This alert is reportedly linked to a recent warning from the FBI and the Dept. of Homeland Security that foreign terrorist entities might target the LGBTQ+ community during June, which is LGBTQ Pride month.²
• The caution warns of a 'potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens' overseas, and travelers should be alert for 'foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events.'³
• The State Department did not specify any countries or regions that may be at risk or any specific threats. The LGBTQ human rights group Outright International criticized the agency for not providing further information.⁴
• The department has encouraged travelers to enroll in the Smart Travel Enrollment Program, which connects US embassies to travelers to communicate information and connect them with their family and emergency contacts.⁵

Sources: ¹politico.com, ²ABC News, ³Travel, ⁴NBC and ⁵JURIST.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by ABC News. Let's not forget that the greatest threat to LGBTQ+ Americans resides right here at home. The GOP and their allies have fomented hatred and violence against the LGBTQ+ community with their baseless 'grooming' smear, which has led to hate crimes and puts them at risk. We must stand up against hate here at home first.
• Right narrative, as provided by Federalist. The left-wing hysteria over discrimination is put into focus when we realize that the US is one of the safest places in the world to be LGBTQ+. While the world is full of malicious foreign actors who hate the freedoms LGBTQ+ Americans enjoy, the left has instead whipped up a baseless persecution narrative — especially in an election year.

Predictions