The recent advisories from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department, cautioning of potential terrorist attacks targeting Pride events in the United States and overseas, have struck a chord within the LGBTQ+ community. These alerts, while prioritizing safety, evoke painful memories of past attacks and heighten anxieties about the ongoing threats faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, Pride events are not merely celebrations but symbolic gatherings of resilience, solidarity and visibility. However, these spaces have also been tragically marred by violence. The memories of events like the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, where 49 people were killed and 53 others injured, loom large in the collective consciousness of LGBTQ+ individuals.