US State Dept issues worldwide alert amid threat of violence against LGBTQ+ community

[May 18, 2024]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Friday issued a worldwide caution security alert, saying it is aware of increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQ+ people and events. 

People participate in an event to raise Bucks County's Pride Flag to kick off Pride Month in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/ File Photo

"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 department said in a statement.

The alert comes two weeks before the start of LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement people in the LGBTQ+ community "continue to face insidious forms of stigma and discrimination."

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Eric Beech)

[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.