Global warning issued by US following threats of violence against LGBT community | International News

The US State Department has issued a worldwide security alert, warning of an increased potential for violence against LGBTQ+ people and events by foreign terrorist organizations. The alert, which comes just two weeks before the start of LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States, advises US citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the ongoing discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, stating that they continue to face stigma and discrimination. The warning, although not providing specific threat information, follows a similar caution from the FBI.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security highlighted recent anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in social media posts by the Islamic State group, calling for attacks on soft targets. They also referenced the arrest of three alleged Islamic State sympathizers in Vienna last year, accused of plotting an attack on a Pride march.

The alert serves as a reminder of the tragic events that have unfolded during Pride month in the past, such as the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people lost their lives. The perpetrator, Omar Mateen, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State during the attack and was subsequently killed by police.

As the world prepares to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the State Department’s caution serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing threats faced by the community. It is a call to remain vigilant and united against acts of violence and discrimination.