The organizers of WorldPride in Washington, D.C., may issue a warning to transgender people from other countries about traveling to the capital for the event as the Trump administration targets the trans community with policies like the military ban on transgender servicemembers and requiring passports to match a person’s sex at birth.
“It’s possible that we may actually issue a statement telling trans folks internationally not to come, or if they come, they come at their own risk,” Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos said.
The Trump administration said it only recognizes two unchangeable sexes: male and female.
“This is something that my community faces every day, is worrying whether or not this space is gonna be safe for them,” Advocates for Trans Equality Senior National Organizer Devon Ojeda said.
Ojeda said he and his trans friends often worry about being targeted or harassed, and he understands if people decide not to attend WorldPride out of safety concerns. But, he added, it’s also important for the community to come together.
“I also am in the mindset of always continuing to be in these spaces — to say I am trans, I am visible. You’re not going to take that away from me,” he said.
Organizers of this year’s WorldPride — an international celebration that is held in a new location about every two years — expect about 2 million people to attend this year’s event in D.C., which will run from May 17 to June 8.
Extensive safety measures for the event include fencing, security checks, police officers and web surveillance to monitor for online threats.
