By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
People from around the world are rightly concerned about traveling to the U.S. for WorldPride.
Transgender leaders and organizers respond to Travel fears ahead of WorldPride in Trump’s DC.
With WorldPride 2025, the biennial global celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility, set to bring millions to Washington, D.C. in weeks, LGBTQ+ leaders are sounding a message that blends honesty with resolve: yes, the risks for transgender and nonbinary people are real — and no, they won’t be erased.
Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.
After recently briefing the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments of the possibility of needing to warn trans and nonbary people about traveling to the nation’s capital, the Capital Pride Alliance released guidance urging international travelers to assess potential risks, particularly those whose passports or legal gender markers may not align with the Trump administration’s restrictive new rules.
Related: U.S. WorldPride organizers consider warning international transgender travelers to stay away amid escalating fears under Trump
“WorldPride is happening at a pivotal time,” organizers said. “We recommend that travelers considering entry to the United States make an informed decision based on the potential risks involved.”
The statement quickly sparked conversation and acknowledged concern among LGBTQ+ communities both in the U.S. and abroad.
It also sparked some misinformation, according to Dr. Elijah Nicholas, the National Trans Visibility March lead strategy director. He told The Advocate that some press reports indicating that organizers had warned transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people not to come was incorrect. At the heart of it is a reality too familiar to transgender people: Visibility comes with risk, but silence isn’t an option either.
“We are doing everything that we can possible to make sure that every attendee is safe in attending WorldPride this year,” Nicholas said in an interview. “This year’s march is more than symbolic. This is a strategic, pivotal moment. We’re convening at a time when our rights are under attack.”
Nicholas emphasized the value of preparation, not fear. “Know the laws in your country and in the U.S. Make sure your documents are in order,” he said. “But don’t let fear keep you from showing up — not if you’re able.”
The warning comes in the context of a sweeping rollback of rights under the Trump administration, which has moved to erase federal recognition of transgender people, bar X-gender marker passports, and require that all visa applicants list their sex assigned at birth. A memo circulated to U.S. consular offices earlier this year instructs officials to flag and possibly reject any application where a person’s gender presentation does not match the marker on their visa form.
That policy has triggered international consequences. Germany, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Portugal have all issued travel advisories for transgender and nonbinary travelers heading to the U.S. Ireland’s warning notes that U.S. authorities “require travelers to declare their biological sex at birth,” and Finland cautions that “a valid ESTA or visa does not necessarily grant entry.”
Related: Germany issues warning for transgender & nonbinary people traveling to the U.S.
In an interview with The Advocate earlier this month, Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance, recognized the rising tension but said the mission remains unchanged.
“Pride has always been a protest,” Bos said. “The act of being joyful in the streets — that’s protest. We’re being told [the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t] have value… and doing this anyway is the most powerful thing we can do.”
Bos emphasized that a vast June 8 march and rally — planned well before the latest policies — now carries additional weight. The event will begin at the Lincoln Memorial and conclude with a march along the National Mall toward the Capitol. Organizers expect it to become one of the largest and most visible protests for LGBTQ+ rights since Trump returned to office.
Related: These 9 countries have issued trans travel advisories to the U.S.
In a statement provided to The Advocate, the D.C. Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs said, “We are proud to welcome more than 3 million visitors to Washington, DC, for WorldPride 2025. Our government agencies are working diligently with community organizers to ensure that WorldPride is a safe, accessible, and bold celebration of our community.”
That statement followed several questions sent by The Advocate to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office. She did not directly comment, but city officials emphasized support for the full slate of WorldPride events—including the Human Rights Conference, set for June 4 to 6 at the JW Marriott, and a host of parades, performances, and cultural gatherings.
Advocates for Trans Equality, one of the leading national organizations focused on trans rights, also responded to the Capital Pride guidance. A. Lazarus Orr, A4TE’s press relations manager, said concerns are valid and expected in the current climate.
“Across the country, hundreds of anti-trans bills have been introduced,” Orr told The Advocate. “At the federal level, the Trump administration is dismantling key government offices, attacking medical research, and issuing executive orders that endanger the health, safety, and dignity of trans people nationwide.” The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking at least 569 anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the country in the first four months of 2025.
Still, Orr said, Pride matters — now more than ever.
“We also believe in the power of community, visibility, and joy — especially in the face of adversity,” Orr said. “Travel with a friend or group. Share your location. Know where medical tents and emergency exits are."
Organizers say travelers should educate themselves on the legal landscape in their home countries and the U.S. They encourage international visitors to contact U.S. diplomatic missions before traveling, ensure that documentation is consistent and up to date, and coordinate with trusted contacts during their visit.
A4TE also urges attendees to know their surroundings—locate medical tents, understand emergency exits, and plan how to respond to discrimination or violence. And most importantly, Orr said, travelers should listen to themselves and trust their instincts.
“If you ever feel unsafe or overwhelmed, it’s okay to leave early or not attend at all,” they said. “There will be smaller community events happening throughout the weekend—staying safe while celebrating trans joy is always the priority.”
Nicholas, a retired military officer, also expressed confidence.
“I believe the investments we’re making in security are sound,” he said. “I’ve walked the spaces. I’ve spoken to our partners. We’re not taking safety lightly — and we’re not backing down either.”
WorldPride 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of D.C.’s first Pride celebrations, and for Nicholas and many others, that history adds even more meaning.
“This is about resilience,” he said. “About continuing to show up and to remind the world that trans, nonbinary, and intersex people are not just part of the movement — we are leading it.”
Or, as Orr of A4TE put it: “Pride is protest. Pride is celebration. Pride is survival. And no matter how hostile the political landscape becomes, trans people will continue to exist, to resist, and to thrive. We have always been here, and we always will be.”
