As WorldPride in Washington, D.C., gears up for what should be one of the most vibrant celebrations of LGBTQ pride worldwide, organizers are facing an unsettling reality: America, under Trump’s return to the White House, isn’t exactly rolling out the rainbow carpet — especially for trans visitors.
The Capital Pride Alliance, the team behind this year’s WorldPride, has confirmed they are considering issuing a formal travel warning to international transgender guests. The concern? The Trump administration’s aggressive rollback of trans rights — including policies like banning trans servicemembers from the military and forcing passport gender markers to align with birth-assigned sex.
“It’s possible that we may actually issue a statement telling trans folks internationally not to come, or if they come, they come at their own risk,” said Ryan Bos, Executive Director of the Capital Pride Alliance. For an event expected to draw over 2 million people between May 17 and June 8, this warning lands like a punch to the gut — but also a necessary one.
Safety vs. Visibility
Trans advocates are caught in a painful dilemma. On one hand, showing up loud and proud at WorldPride sends a message of defiance. On the other, the reality on the ground in parts of the U.S. — particularly in the wake of Trump’s policies — is hostile, dangerous, and increasingly legislated against trans existence.
Devon Ojeda, Senior National Organizer at Advocates for Trans Equality, summed up the tension: “This is something that my community faces every day, is worrying whether or not this space is gonna be safe for them.”
Ojeda, like many trans leaders, refuses to back down. “I also am in the mindset of always continuing to be in these spaces — to say I am trans, I am visible. You’re not going to take that away from me.”
Still, the possibility of being harassed, misgendered, or worse during travel in the U.S. is real — particularly when federal policies actively undermine trans identities.
Pride in a Fortress
Organizers are doing everything in their power to keep WorldPride safe — but it’s looking more like a fortress than a festival. Plans include fencing, security checks, police patrols, and online threat monitoring. It’s a sad but necessary reflection of the times.
The Pride movement has always been about visibility, resilience, and refusing to hide. But it has also been about care and community — making sure everyone gets to celebrate and live authentically without fear. This year, for many trans visitors, WorldPride may come with a sobering choice: visibility or safety.
A Global LGBTQ Reckoning
WorldPride has long been a symbol of global LGBTQ solidarity. But this year’s travel warning is a stark reminder of the uneven realities LGBTQ people face worldwide — and within the U.S. itself. The impact on the trans community is particularly raw. Being told you may not be safe in the so-called “Land of the Free” speaks volumes about how far America still has to go.
Yet if history teaches us anything, it’s that queer joy finds a way. Pride has never been about perfect conditions. It’s about showing up anyway — and showing the world that LGBTQ people exist, persist, and deserve better.
As WorldPride kicks off in D.C., the trans community will once again do what it’s always done best: survive, thrive, and remind everyone that pride was — and always will be — a protest.