In Boston, a pop-up celebrates World Cup and Pride Month

Between the lines: Pride House, located in Spy Bar, offers LGBTQ+ fans a place to watch the soccer tournament a time when they may feel excluded from several host cities.

• In fact, European officials are warning LGBTQ+ soccer fans against traveling to the United States for the World Cup over safety concerns, and two fan clubs have decided not to go, per Outsports.

State of play: Pride House, organized by the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum of Art, History and Culture, is among a handful of Pride-themed spaces cropping up during the World Cup.

• The museum partnered with the hotel, recreational soccer club Boston Strikers and the professional women's soccer team Boston Legacy FC for the space.
• Pride House plans to host at least a dozen events over the next six weeks, including World Cup watch parties, drag shows and forums about sports and the LGBTQ+ community.

Dozens filed into Spy Bar Thursday night for the soft opening.

• The event featured performances from drag queens like Princess Aurora, Shakaren and Candace Persuasion.

What they're saying: "They will have a space that is curated for their safety and their joy," said Jean Dolin, the museum's founder and CEO.

Context: Blue cities like Boston aren't immune to attacks against LGBTQ+ people and their rights, Dolin said.

• Some of the most high-profile examples include the Straight Pride Parade in 2019 and an incident at Liberty Hotel last year in which a security guard misgendered a lesbian couple and kicked them out of the women's bathroom (they later sued).

Zoom out: Pride House international is working with local groups to organize Pride Houses across the 16 host cities.

• The organization models Pride House after the Olympics hospitality houses, offering a gathering space for LGBTQ+ athletes, fans and allies, per the organization's website.

What's next: Pride House officially launches on June 6 with a Pride parade after party.