Pride event attendees should exercise caution while participating in commemorative events this year as the threat environment for LGBTQ individuals is likely different than previous Pride seasons. Rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment post COVID-19 pandemic is likely to contribute to an escalated threat environment in many countries, including increased hate crimes.
Furthermore, ongoing civil unrest movements could increase the likelihood for clashes at pride events. Before attending any events, in either new or familiar locations, participants should familiarize themselves with the local culture and rhetoric surrounding LGBTQ topics and take proactive approaches to anticipate threats.
Overall Pride Event Safety
The levels and types of threats posed to the LGBTQ community and any celebratory pride events are contingent on the characteristics of the event’s location, specifically the country’s legal environment pertaining to and social acceptance of LGBTQ individuals.
Although widespread international travel for pride events is unlikely in 2021, it will be higher than in 2020, and attendees are still able to attend domestic events, and should know that the events may look different than they have in the past. Additionally, pride events could have lower participation than in previous years and have COVID-19-related security measures.
However, some trends likely remain true: generally, larger cities are typically more liberal and demographically varied, which often means LGBTQ travelers are more widely accepted. However, higher-profile events are more likely to attract counter-protestors or other activist movements. Contrarily, rural locations tend to be rooted in traditional, religious, and social values, which can cause these communities to be less accepting of the LGBTQ community.
Members of the LGBTQ community may view pride events and parades as largely low threat or safe, as the events are specifically dedicated to community. However, despite numerous cultural and legislative shifts happening around the world, the LGBTQ community still faces discrimination in most locations. Holding pride events does not necessarily indicate that a society harbors widespread positive attitudes toward or acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
While members of the LGBTQ community see Pride as an opportunity to celebrate or seek to influence LGBTQ equality, opponents may seek to negatively politicize or target the events. Protesters and anti-LGBTQ groups or individuals have used known LGBTQ-friendly places, such as LGBTQ nightclubs or pride events to target the community in locations throughout the world.
Pride Events Threat Levels Vary Widely by Region
Pride parades are well established in Western Europe and some areas of the Americas, and therefore, are generally well attended and likely to pose a lower threat to the LGBTQ community. However, the threat of activists and protestors attempting to disrupt pride celebrations exists worldwide. In these lower threat locations, many cities respond to incidents of violence against the LGBTQ community by providing extra security measures and increasing security officers’ presence.
Anti-LGBTQ activists in less accepting regions, such as Eastern Europe, Middle East North Africa (MENA), or Sub-Saharan Africa may be more likely to attempt to disrupt pride events as they have in the past. In these lower acceptance environments, the LGBTQ community may face discrimination or harassment, both in general and at pride events.
Aside from pride events, the LGBTQ community could face increased threats during Pride month because of the overall heightened awareness of LGBTQ topics. Violent crimes of opportunity or harassment against LGBTQ individuals, due to the increased awareness, could increase in areas with low and mixed tolerance. Negative sentiment in response to individuals or businesses supporting the LGBTQ community also cannot be ruled out.
COVID-19 Considerations
Similar to the considerations and diligence given to understanding the environment for LGBTQ individuals, pride event attendees should familiarize themselves with any COVID-19-related restrictions in the location of the event, as well as best practices for health precautions. Regulations are subject to change from day to day and participants could be violating government mandates if not aware of the current laws.
Rising Anti-LGBTQ Sentiment Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic yielded indicators of growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment across the world in 2020, which is likely to increase the overall likelihood of threats to pride events. Reports of domestic violence have reportedly risen around the world during COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders, including those involving LGBTQ individuals.
There were several instances of LGBTQ individuals experiencing discrimination or humiliation in the enforcement of movement restrictions, such as in Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Peru, and the Philippines. Additionally, countries such as Hungary and Poland have passed anti-LGBTQ laws during the pandemic amid scrutiny from international LGBTQ advocacy groups. Some countries, such as the US and Germany, have reported an increase in LGBTQ-targeted hate crimes since 2019.
LGBTQ Community and Ongoing Civil Unrest Movements
In some countries, the history between the LGBTQ community and the police is strained, and when combined with the police brutality protests and anti-law enforcement sentiment that occurred in 2020, the threat environment is likely heightened. Although this is primarily true for the US, other countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Mexico, and the UK also experienced protests against police brutality, some of which resulted in clashes between protesters and the police.
Civil unrest campaigns against police brutality and perceived mistreatment of minority populations are likely to increase the existing strains between the LGBTQ community and the police, as well as the overall threat environment for pride events. In 2020, members of the LGBTQ community actively participated in solidarity protests for allegations of police brutality. The presence of aligned social activist groups and counter-protesters is likely and could increase the possibility of clashes between protest groups and the police.
Police involvement in pride events remains a controversial subject within the LGBTQ community. Pride parades began in the US in 1970 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots when the New York City police raided an LGBTQ bar, the Stonewall Inn, and allegedly assaulted members of the LGBTQ community.
Risk Mitigation Strategies for Pride Events
Consider the following risk mitigation strategies for navigating pride events this upcoming Pride month:
- Follow all official instructions.
- Maintain situational awareness.
- If you in a dense crowd and you do not see any crowd control measures, consider getting out. If you feel the crowd begin to sway, wait until it stops moving and navigate your way to safety. If you are faced with a violent or potentially violent situation, immediately seek shelter in upscale hotels or large public buildings, such as libraries, theaters, hospitals, or museums. Report all suspicious persons or packages to the authorities immediately.
- Do not accept drinks, cigarettes, or chewing gum from strangers, as reports have shown that some assailants taint these products with drugs.
- If celebrating abroad and police or other authorities harass you, immediately contact your diplomatic mission.
- Understand local expressions and words that may indicate a derogatory view of LGBTQ individuals.
- Take extreme caution if engaging others in conversations about sexuality or LGBTQ issues. Only do so with well-vetted acquaintances in safe locations. In countries that have conservative societies, dress and act in accordance with social norms.
- If you are not familiar with the level of social acceptance of a location, do not use the internet or online apps to meet members of the LGBTQ community, as these kinds of apps are banned in some countries and local nationals may use these platforms to target LGBTQ individuals.
- Be mindful of cultural bias when assessing acceptance. Do not assume to understand mannerisms, unless you are familiar with the culture; for example, handholding between men is common in many locations and meant as a gesture of friendship, not sexual attraction. Other behaviors that may appear to be romantically intimate may in fact be platonic.
Note: Visitors to and expatriates living in a country are bound by the laws of that country. An individual’s home country’s government is unable to release an individual from incarceration in a foreign country. Home country consulates will be able to give only limited assistance to their citizens who are imprisoned. In some countries, the burden of proof rests on the accused, not the prosecutor.
Risk Mitigation Strategies for COVID-19
- Abide by government mandated health and safety measures.
- Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they could prompt increased scrutiny and delays.
- Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reach out to your airline or diplomatic representation to understand the COVID-19-related travel restrictions at your destination(s).
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