As world pride begins in Washington, some foreigners stand aside

Through Washington, the big arc flags fly to the stars and stripes, while the city plays the host of World Pride, a global holiday of LGBTQ culture and identity.

But this year it will be a challenge to the world. Some international travelers choose to miss the two -year event because of the fears of travel, while others protest against President Donald Trump’s policies.

Alice Siregar, based on Montreal Data Analyst, which is a transgender, had planned to attend. But the trip to the United States was currently unthinkable, she told the BBC.

“This is the risk of coming now, and especially as a trance woman,” she said.

The US capital won the host offer of world pride years before Trump’s re -election. In January, the event organizers predicted the celebration, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first March of Washington’s pride, will attract three million visitors and contribute nearly $ 800 million to the local economy.

But their expectations have already dropped to about one -third of their previous estimates. Hotel employment prices have also been reduced compared to last year.

The 30 -year -old D -JJ Siegar possesses both Canada and the United States, but says she was unable to renew her passport in the United States due to new rules executed by the Trump administration, which prevents transsexual Americans from changing their gender.

The White House says it protects “the biological reality of sex.”

She could travel south with her Canadian passport, but she was worried about the border agents may not accept her gender, who was referred to as a woman in her Canadian documents.

Communications about foreign travelers detained and detained have caused her concerns, she said.

“It’s too dangerous to risk it,” she said.

A spokesman for US customs and border defense said that a person’s sexual identity does not make them unacceptable.

“The gender of the foreign passenger, as stated in their passport, and their personal beliefs about sexuality do not make a person inadmissible,” the spokesman told the BBC in a statement. “The claims are otherwise false.”

But D -ji sregar is not alone in her worries. Several European governments, including Germany, Finland and Denmark, have issued Trans -Guide Tips and Non -Biddle Citizens traveling to the United States. Australia, an advocacy group, also issued a journey alert for people who do not fit gender and those with LGBTQ Activism History.

Egale Canada, one of the largest LGBTQ charity organizations in the country, said it did not participate in world pride due to concerns about the safety of their transsexual and unprecedented staff. Earlier, she participated in world events in London, Sydney and at home in Toronto.

“We are very concerned about the general tone and hostility of internal LGBTI people in the United States, but also to those who can visit the United States from other jurisdictions,” said his executive director Helen Kennedy.

Trump’s repeated comments about turning Canada into the 51st US State was also a factor, she added. D -Ja Kennedy said the organization did not boycott the world pride itself, but protested Trump’s policies on LGBTQ.

After entering office, Trump canceled some LGBTQ defenses, including canceling Biden’s executive order to prevent discrimination “based on sexual identity or sexual orientation.” He also banned policies for diversity, justice and inclusion (DEI) in federal agencies.

Proponents say these policies help correct injustice, but others, including Trump, say that they are discriminatory in themselves.

His administration also banned transgender people from serving in the military and banned federal funding for gender care for transsexual young people. And he threatened to stop financing countries that allow transgender athletes to compete.

Trump defended his actions by saying that trans women in sports is “humiliation for women and this is very bad for our country.”

Some of these policies are currently being challenged in court.

This week, US media reported plans from Navy yes rename a ship It was baptized to honor Harvey milk. The former Navy sailor and activist was the first open gay man selected for public office in California in 1977.

While former US President Joe Biden held a Pride Month event on the White House grass in 2023 and issued a proclamation in support of the Community Last year, Trump has not spoken in the last days about the celebration.

Asked about the president’s position for world pride, White House spokesman told BBC The fact that Trump “encouraged a sense of national pride that must be celebrated on a daily basis” and that he was “an honor to serve all Americans.”

Capital Pride Alliance, the organization that is being held this year’s World Pride in DC, told the BBC that it had received an “indefinite amount of questions and concerns”.

“Our holiday is literally in the footsteps of the Capitol building and off the White House, something that many people are aware of,” said Sand Miralini, director of Capital Pride Alliance operations.

For the first time, pride in DC will have a closed perimeter and weapons detectors, he said, partly because this year the event will attract larger crowds than usual.

The events of the World Pride will also be an increased presence of the LGBTQ+ connection unit of the Sofia Police Department, which will be the “first priority” to respond to emergencies, said G -n -Miraminy.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, Democrat, admitted that visitors “feel scared that an anti-LGBTQ is developing.”

But “we cannot live in fear, we must live our lives (s) to be as well as possible,” she said.

Kelly Lakko, a co-owner of her dinner at Dupont Circle, one of the most vibrant LGBTQ districts of DC, said she was also increased security for the weekend.

“I feel like normal with pride that we are ready for the celebration,” she said. “And obviously the current administration has put a big shock absorber on this.”

Although he won’t be in Washington, Da Siegar said he hoped others would visit.

“I think people in the US should be present and safe when visiting,” she said. “It is important for people to stand more than ever.”

D -Ja Laczko agrees. “Even joy can be an act of challenge,” she said.