FBI, Homeland Security and State Department Issues Alert for LGBTQ People

Two different NBC News stories look at alerts issued by the State Department for overseas and the FBI and Homeland Security domestically warning LGBT individuals of threats against them and LGBT events posed by foreign and domestic terrorists. Behind these threats are both the political motivations fanning anti-LGBT hatred such as those employed by Vladimir Putin and Republicans courting American Christofascist, and, of course, there is the centuries old religious motivation to attack and destroy those who by their very existence or who refusal to embrace ignorance embracing Bronze Age religious dogma are demonized and labeled as threats to "traditional values. The first piece looks at the domestic threat LGBT individuals face: 

Foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters might target LGBTQ-related events and venues as part of June's Pride Month, federal agencies warned in a recent public announcement.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued the announcement May 10 to raise awareness of “foreign terrorist organizations (FTOS) or their supporters potential targeting of LGBTQIA+-related events and venues."

“Foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month,” the agencies wrote.

The announcement did not specify any locations or indicate the agencies were tracking any specific threats. According to the release, foreign terrorist groups and supporters have in the past promoted anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and targeted related events.

The release noted that June 12 marks the eighth anniversary of the attack on the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. That was the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in U.S. history, leaving 49 people dead and 53 people wounded as “Latin Night” was being celebrated at the club.

The release also noted possible signs to watch out for that might indicate a potential problem, such as violent threats made online or in the mail. Potential attackers might also try to take photos of security-related equipment or access points at events; attempt to get into restricted areas or impersonate law enforcement personnel; or chat up staff at various venues to get information like what types of events they have upcoming and what the crowd sizes might be.

Pride Month, held in June, is a particularly important time in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. After starting June 28, 1970, as New York City's first Pride march, it has evolved into a nationwide event in which cities and towns across America hold marches both to call attention to specific issues such as same-sex marriage and to celebrate.

While the piece does not directly mention domestic Christofascist and white supremacy groups, many of such groups support both Russia's and Hungary's attacks on LGBT rights and individuals.  Indeed, far right "Christian" groups over the last decades have worked to export anti-LGBT hatred to Russia and other countries, including in may parts of Africa.

The second piece covers some of the same ground, but also looks at the possible threats to LGBT Americans while traveling overseas.  Sadly, Republican politicians pushing anti-gay legislation for perceived political advantage care nothing about the lives they put at risk and how such laws play into the hands of foreign terrorists. Here are article excerpts: 

The U.S. State Department issued a "Worldwide Caution" alert on Friday, warning U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution due to "the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events."

According to an administration official familiar with the matter, the alert is connected to the recent announcement from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security that foreign terrorist organizations might seek to exploit "LGBTQIA+-related events and venues," including events during 2024 Pride month, which begins in June.

Last year's Pride month was also marked by safety concerns after the Department of Homeland Security issued a report warning that domestic violence extremists and people who commit hate crimes have increased threats of violence against the LGBTQIA+ community in recent years.

LGBTQ advocacy groups have issued a "state of emergency" in the U.S. following record-breaking waves of anti-LGBTQ legislation as well as a spike in reports of hate incidents.

The State Department alert also advises traveling Americans to exercise increased caution because of the potential for more generalized terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions "against U.S. citizens and interests."

 Religion, in my view, remains one of the most toxic forces in the world.