In a joint public service announcement, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a warning regarding potential threats from foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) targeting events during LGBTQ Pride Month. The agencies expressed concern about the exploitation of increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 celebrations.

According to the announcement, FTOs may attempt to commit or inspire violence against holiday celebrations, including Pride events or LGBTQIA+-related venues. The current heightened threat environment in the United States and other western countries further compounds the concerns raised.

Officials pointed to "ISIS messaging" that focuses on anti-LGBTQ rhetoric as a reason for alarm. They also referenced the attempted knife attack at a Pride parade in Vienna, Austria, last year, where three alleged ISIS sympathizers were arrested. Additionally, the announcement mentioned the approaching eighth anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, which claimed the lives of 49 people and left 53 wounded.

Although no specific FTO or city was named as a heightened concern, Pride groups and local law enforcement agencies responsible for organizing and protecting events in major cities reassured attendees. NYC Pride's executive director, Sandra Perez, emphasized the commitment to safety and collaboration with law enforcement and private security.

New York City's Police Department assured the public that it remains ever-ready and ever-vigilant in protecting New Yorkers during Pride Month. The department's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau continuously monitors intelligence related to foreign terrorist groups and domestic violent extremists.

San Francisco Pride also expressed the seriousness with which they take potential threats and mentioned close cooperation with law enforcement in their statement.

Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting and a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, reminded everyone to remain vigilant and defiant in the face of hate and violence. He encouraged living out loud, celebrating Pride fearlessly, and expressing love without apology.

In addition to the foreign threats highlighted in the announcement, the article mentioned past instances of threats from domestic actors. These include an arrest last year in Nashville, Tennessee, of an individual charged with threatening to bomb and commit a mass shooting at an LGBTQ Pride event. In 2022, 31 people affiliated with the white nationalist group Patriot Front were arrested for suspicion of rioting at a Pride event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In 2021, authorities apprehended a Long Island man who allegedly threatened to attack New York City's Pride march with significant firepower.

As LGBTQ Pride Month approaches, the FBI, Homeland Security, local law enforcement agencies, Pride groups, and advocates are united in their efforts to ensure the safety and celebration of Pride events across the nation.