Capital Pride Alliance, the local group producing WorldPride Washington D.C. 2025, is warning members of the LGBTQ+ community traveling into the United States to be aware of the risks before deciding to attend this year’s celebration.
“We recommend that all international travelers understand the advisories that may be issued by their home country,” Capital Pride Alliance said in a statement to NOTUS on Friday. “We recommend that travelers considering entry to the United States make an informed decision based on the potential risks involved, as we, alongside advocates and partner organizations, continue to actively navigate the measures being put in place by the current federal administration.”
Capital Pride Alliance specifically referenced President Donald Trump’s executive order that requires that passports issued after the start of his term reflect an individual’s birth sex. The order requires the departments of State and Homeland Security and the Office of Personnel Management to enforce changes that “require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder’s sex.”
“Traveling with caution and educating ourselves is regular practice for LGBTQ+ people,” the statement from Capital Pride Alliance said, noting that passports, including those with an “X” marker or a person’s preferred gender listed, are valid for travel. But given the Trump administration’s policy, the group urged travelers to be cautious.
“This could impact some transgender and nonbinary travelers, so we encourage all visitors to consult official sources and seek legal guidance as needed,” the statement said.
Organizers for the weeks-long slate of events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community had been signaling publicly that such an announcement was in the works. Earlier this week, Ryan Bos, executive director of Capital Pride Alliance, told members of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that he was considering issuing a statement warning transgender people thinking about traveling internationally “not to come” or to “come at their own risk.” The celebration, with events scheduled from May 17 through June 8, is expected to draw millions of people.
President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have created hurdles for organizing efforts as WorldPride Washington, D.C. 2025 approaches. In the months leading up to the events, organizers told NOTUS that they were shuffling locations, grappling with concerns about the festivities being weaponized, and facing hesitation from sponsors to participate.
NOTUS previously reached out to nearly 40 sponsors in March, and only a handful reiterated their support for the event. At least one sponsor has withdrawn its support from WorldPride. The New York Times reported that pride celebrations in San Francisco, Norfolk, Virginia, and Toronto had sponsors withdraw their support as well.
In Washington, the Kennedy Center, which WorldPride organizers and city officials said in 2024 was listed as a partner for the celebration, canceled a marquee event that was scheduled for June called the “Tapestry of Pride at the Kennedy Center,” along with other pride-related performances. Trump was elected as the chair of the Kennedy Center board in February.
Other LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have also distanced themselves from the WorldPride celebration, citing safety concerns. In March, the African Human Rights Coalition encouraged members to boycott this year’s celebration because it “presents distinct dangers to foreign LGBTQI+ attendees.” And in February, Egale Canada, one of Canada’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, announced that its members would not be formally attending any events.
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Torrence Banks is a NOTUS reporter and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow.