WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears

What they're saying: "Our community is living in fear right now, with a lot of unknowns and uncertainty," said Ashley Smith, president of Capital Pride Alliance (one of WorldPride's organizers), during the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (COG) board of directors meeting this week.

State of play: Several aspects of the festival are being affected by the Trump administration's actions, Smith and CPA executive director Ryan Bos told the COG members.

Fewer people will likely travel internationally to attend the festival — originally planned for 2-3 million visitors — as they might be concerned about being able to enter the country or arriving and "immediately being sent back, or being held up," said Smith.

• In January, Trump issued an executive order declaring that the federal government would only recognize two sexes, and U.S. citizens must have their assigned birth sex on their passports.
• It's possible that CPA might issue a statement recommending that international trans folks do not travel to the U.S. for the festival — "or if they come, they come at their own risk," said Bos.

Zoom out: Several countries, including Germany, Ireland and Denmark, have issued travel warnings to their citizens who are trans, nonbinary or hold third-gender passports.

• Two major international LGBTQ+ organizations are raising concerns, according to the Washington Post: The African Human Rights Coalition called for a boycott of WorldPride, citing safety concerns, and Egale Canada — the largest gay rights organization in the country — declined to participate in any U.S. events.
• InterPride, one of the event's co-organizers, also issued a travel advisory.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokespeople tell the Post that an individual's gender or sexuality does not and will not impact their ability to enter the country with a valid ID.

• In new guidance to international travelers, CPA said on Friday that passports with an "X" marker or gender differing from sex at birth remain valid for travel under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) policy.
• But CPA warned that a recent memo requiring U.S. visa applications to list sex assigned at birth could impact some trans and nonbinary travelers. The organizers recommend seeking "legal guidance as needed."

Meanwhile, some sponsors — including some who have participated for years — are dropping out or remaining anonymous, said Bos. Federal contractors Booz Allen Hamilton and Deloitte dropped their sponsorships, according to the New York Times, as well as Comcast.

• "That's very anti what pride is all about."

Zoom in: It's not just festival organizers that are worried: Owners of local LGBTQ+ bars brought up concerns about maintaining safety and security during the event in a community meeting last month, reports the Washington Blade.

What we're watching: Organizers are making changes to boost safety. The two-day street festival and concert, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Doechii, will now be fenced with a gated entry, said Bos. And there will be safe spaces erected throughout the DMV.

• The WorldPride group is also hosting safety workshops for participants.

Between the lines: During the May 17 Trans Pride celebration, attendees can attend workshops on advocacy and be connected with legal resources.

• "Trans Pride Washington DC is not just a celebration; it is a powerful act of resistance and affirmation," Trans Pride executive director Bianca Sprague writes on the event's website.

And amid a push to bar pride flags at some federal buildings and offices, CPA is using its "Paint the World" initiative to encourage Washingtonians and local storefronts to double down on displaying support so visitors feel safe.